UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT   LOS  ANGELES 


ROBERT  ERNEST  COWAN 


CALIFOENIA  PILGRIM 


A  SERIES   OF   LECTURES, 


BY    J.    A.    BEXTON, 

l^ASTOR     OF    THE    FIRST"    CHURCH    OF    CHRIS" 
IV     SACP.ALIEKTO. 


•■  Hay  I  not  write  In  such  a  styla  as  this. 
Tn  snch  a  method,  too.  and  yet  not  miss 

M  V  end— thy  good  7 — - 

So'lidily.  inJoel,  becomes  the  pen 
Of  him  who  writeth  things  diuine  to  men  : 
Brit  must  '  C'?*?d9  want  solidnesn.  because 
By  metaphors  I  spesi^  ? — -  ' 


SACRA31EXT0,  CAL. : 

SOLOMON    ALTER,    PLTJLISHEK. 

MA[IVIN  &  illTCHCOCJv,  SAX  FRAXCISCO. 

18  5  3. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S53,  by 

JOSEPH    A.    BENTON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Northern 

District  of  California. 


F 


JARED  LINSLY,  M.   D., 

O  V 

THE   CITY    OP   NEW   YORK; 

THE    READY   HELPER 

OF  ASPIRING  AND  STRUGGLING  YOUTH  . 

THIS    "VO  LUM  E 

S3  jRjsytcilEllii  Simcnbrii, 

B  r    H  :  9 

OBLIGED    SINCERE    FRIEND, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


2593:iD 


SAcnAMENTO,  December  28th,  1852. 
Rev.  Mr.  Bextox  : 

Dear  Sir :  Having  heard,  with  deep  interest,  your  series  of 
lectures  on  the  progress  of  the  "  California  Pilgrim,''  and  believing 
a  general  dissemination  of  the  expositions  and  views  so  attrac- 
tively and  felicitously  set  forth  therein,  would  not  only  be 
profitable  to  them,  but  desirable  by  the  people  of  California 
generally,  you  are  hereby  requested,  most  respectfully,  to  furnish 
a  copy  of  your  manuscripts  containing  them,  for  publication.  And 
you  will  much  oblige, 

Tours,  &C.J 

Elias  D.  Kennedy,  John  McKee, 

F.  W.  Page,  D.  0.  Mills, 

R.  B.  Hall.  W.  C.  Waters, 

R.  H.  McDonald,  James  Gallup, 

Jona.  Williams,  A.  C.  Sweetser, 

H.  W.  Harkness. 


Sacramexto,  January  18,  1853. 
John  McKee,  D.  0.  Mills,  W.  C.  Waters,  axd  others  : 

Gentlemen :  Your  note,  requesting  the  publication  of  my 
lectures  on  the  "  California  Pilgrim,"  has  been  sometime  under 
consideration.  I  have  now  resolved  to  comply  with  your  wishes  ; 
and,  as  soon  as  it  is  practicable,  I  shall  commit  my  manuscripts  to 
the  hands  of  the  printers. 

Obediently  yours, 

J.  A.  BENTON, 


PREFATORY    NOTE. 

The  autlior  conceived  the  idea  of  tlicsc  lectures  while  on  a 
visit  into  the  country  last  summer.  He  wrote  and  delivered 
them.  They  took  this  form  that  the  most  diverse  matters 
might  be  wrought  into  them,  and  that  the  writer  might 
relieve  the  somewhat  somber  cast  of  his  ordinary  discoui-ses, 
and  escape  the  charge  of  being  a  scold. 

The  reader  should  be  informed  that  the  "  Moral"  of  each 
lecture  was  originally  spoken  extemporaneously.  They  are 
now  written  from  memory,  and  given  in  brief,  and  for 
substance  only.  The  burning  of  Sacramento  occurred 
during  the  delivery  of  the  lectures;  and  hence  the  notice 
taken  of  that  event,  in  the  ninth  lecture. 

The  design  of  the  lectures,  in  part,  was,  to  benefit  a  class 
of  people,  "not  otherwise  reached  by  the  author's  ministra- 
tions. They  are  published  to  be  of  stiU  further  service,  if 
haply  they  may,  to  that  large  class. 

For  himself,  the  writer  of  this  book  has  nothing  to  say. 
Whether  he  be  a  novice  in  authorship  ;  what  public  relations 
he  may  sustain  ;  what  opinions  he  may  hold ;  and  what  may 
be  his  personal  peculiarities ;  the  curious  in  such  matters,  if 
any,  can  easily  find  out  otherwise,  if  they  do  not  find  them 
in  the  book. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 

I.     Monte  Diabolo,     -             -             -  -         9 

II.     Grqup  on  the  Steamer's  Deck,          -  38 

III.  Fortunatus  Wait,               -             -  -       94 

IV.  Model  Legislators,    -             -             -  145 
V.     Morning  after  the  Conflagration,  -     1S9 

VI.     Jonathan  Jointstock,             -  252 


CONTENTS. 


LECTURE  I. 

Page, 
riace  of  the  Dream— The    Pilgrim    on    the    Steamer— The 
Narrative  of  his  Life, 9 

LECTURE  n. 
The  Pilgrim  now  a  man  of  Note — Scenes  on  Board-— Entrance 
into  the  Harbor, 29 

LECTURE  m. 
Going  on  Shore— A  Night's  Entertainment — First  Day  in  San 
Francisco, .-.-46 

LECTLTIE  rV. 
Second  Day  in  San  Francisco — Castle  Ancient — Journey  to  the 
Mission, G8 

LECTURE  V. 
Journey  to  the  South— Fortunatus  Wait— Mrs.  Nettles— San 
Jose, 93 

LECTURE  VL 
Journey  to  Stockton— Tour  of  the  City— Journey  to  Sacramento,  IIG 

LECTURE  VII. 
Sunday  in  the  City— The  Churches— Tour  through  a  portion  of 
the  City, loS 


Vlli  COXTEXTS. 

LECTURE  VIII. 

Page. 
The    Stages — Horse    Market — Levee — K     street    corners — 

Evening  Tour, 159 

LECTURE  IX. 
Election  Day — Departure — Return — Sacramento  Burnetl,        -  183 

LECTURE  X. 
American  River — Ride   across  the    Plain — Mining  Towns — 
Journey  to  the  North  Fork, 202 

LECTURE   XL 

Vicinity  of  Yankee  Jim's — Learned  Miners — Discussion  of  the 
Origin  of  Gold 223 

LECTURE  XII. 
Journey  to  Grass  Valley — to   Nevada — to  the  Sierra — The 
Conclusion 243 


THE 


CALIFORNIA   PILGRIM 


LECTURE    I. 


"The  prophet  that  hath  a  dream,  let  him  tell  a  dream. " — 
Jeu.    23 :  28. 


As  I  traveled  through  this  world  and  its  wildernesses,  I 
lighted  upon  a  certain  place,  which  was  a  lone  craggy  niouu- 
The  place  of  ^^^^'  ^^^^  ^^^^'^  ^'^^'  l^^^^g  tii'ouud  it,  changing 
the  dream.  to  a  purple  in  the  glow  of  the  evening  hour. 
Deep  valleys  were  sunk  on  every  side  of  it ;  and,  here  and 
there,  they  opened  through  frightful  gorges.  The  mountain 
itself  was  seamed  with  fissures,  and  furrowed  with  dark 
ravines.  It  was  not  fitted  for  the  dwellings  of  men.  No 
human  beings  abode  there,  but  for  a  night. 
About  the  name  ^^  ^^^  Called  after  no  man,  nor  saint,  nor  good- 
'^^^^'  angel.     For  a  thousand  miles  along  the  ocean- 

border  had  all  regions  of  water  and  land  been  honored  with 
the  names  of  worthies  and  holies,  female  and  male.  Inlet 
and  bay,  rill  and  river,  hill  and  valley,  plain  and  desert, 
forest  and  rock,  rejoiced  in  saintly  titles.  It  was  as  if  the 
whole  company  of  the  faithful,  whether  human  or  angelic 
in  origin,  had,  for  a  day,  alighted  along  the  shore,  when  on 
some  terrestrial  errand,  and  left  their  appellations  behind. 
But  on  this  mountain  top  there  was  no  record  writ,  and,  as 
yet,  it  stood  unknown,  and  without  a  name. 


10  THE    CALIFORNIA    TILGRIM. 

An  era  of  travel  and  discovery  arrived.  Tlic  good  Fath- 
ers journeyed  eastward  to  spy  out  the  laud.  They  came 
upon  this  mountain,  all  nameless  then.  Its  vast  proportions 
made  it  deserving  of  a  lofty  and  imposing  title.  The  cata- 
logue of  distinguished  worthies  was  long  ago  exhausted.  But 
so  towering  a  peak  must  not  lack  a  name  importing  some- 
what. So,  for  want  of  a  better,  it  was  ycleped  after  that 
How  It  was  notorious  person  that  first  made  revolt  in  heaven, 
tVuiaboio>'°  and  unfurled  an  ill-starred  banner  on  the  celes- 
tial heio-hts.  Thus  it  came  to  pass  that  the  solitary  moun- 
tain had  a  noteworthy  name  ;  standing  there  in  its  grandeur, 
on  the  confines  of  a  region  still  unexplored.  In  later  times, 
dim  tradition — held  in  high  esteem  by  not  a  few — failed  not 
to  keep  alive  the  story,  that  in  days  gone  by,  there  happened 
many  a  strange  thing  there  ;  so  much  so,  that  the  aborigines^ 
and  all  the  common  sort  of  people,  held  the  place  to  be 
possessed  by  him,  or  the  progeny  of  him,  in  honor  of  whom 
it  had  been  originally  named. 

There  were  there  neither  moat,  nor  ditch,  nor  castellated 
peak,  nor  crumbling  walls,  to  tell  of  any  defiant  lord,  any 
deeds  of  valor  in  arms,  or  to  declare  the  wonders  of  faded 
renown.  The  grim  spirit  of  the  ages  had  left  there  many  a 
record,  and  strewn  the  emblems  of  his  power  on  every  hand  • 
but  him,  no  eye  of  man  had  seen,  and  none  had  ever  pre- 
sumed to  call  him  by  a  name. 

The  story  of  the  mountain  may  seem  a  legend  or  a  myth, 
and  some  man's  matter  of  fact  may  brush  it  away,  or  rob  it 
of  venerableness  and  beauty ;  but  the  lone  grandeur  of  the 
mountain  abides ;  and  mortal  may  not  presume  to  deny  the 
doing,  when  he  cannot  tell  what  persons  are  there,  nor  what 
deeds  are  done,  within  the  folds  of  mist,  when  ofttimes  the 
craggy  top  is  hidden  among  the  clouds. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  II 

As  I  said,  in  traveling,  I  lighted  upon  this  spot,  after  a 
weary  day's  journey.  From  the  summit  I  looked  off  in 
every  direction.  As  the  sun  went  down,  at  my  left,  it  sank 
far  out  in  the  boundless  waters,  where  the  blue  of  the  sea 
and  the  sky  met  and  mingled.  Nearer,  on  my  left,  ran 
up  and  down  successive  lines  of  hills,  giving  the  landscape 
the  appearance  of  a  furrowed  field,  run  through  by  Nature's 
generous  ploughshare.  These  belts  of  rock  and  forest 
gradually  diminished  in  height  toward  the  west,  and  finally 
melted  into  the  ocean  waves. 

On  my  right  lay  a  broad  valley,  many  leagues  in 
length,  embosoming  mighty  rivers ;  its  borders  laced  and 
interlaced  with  silver  streams,  whose  gathered  waters 
mingled  at  last,  and  poured  all  their  fullness  through  a  deep 
channel,  a  litttle  way  to  the  northward  from  the  mountain's 
base.  Beyond  the  great  valley,  toward  the  east,  one  above 
another,  step  by  step,  the  wooded  hills  began  to  ascend; 
and  then, 

"  Stern  and  bold, 
Their  snowy  summits  shining  in  the  sun. 
The  distant  mountains  rose  ;  and  North  and  South 
Stretched  out  the  serried  range  ;  its  liquid  sides 
Fruitful  of  streams,  whose  dashing  torrents  roll 
O'er  golden  sands. " 

A  lodge  is      ^^  ^^^  cavemous  rocks  I  sought  a  place   of 
sought.  j.gg^_     Pqj.  ^}^g  twilight  was  deepening,  and  the 

stars  began  to  shine ;  and  sometimes  I  thought  I  heard  a 
low  growl,  or  a  quick,  sharp  bark,  as  if  I  were  not  altogether 
alone  in  a  place  so  solitary.  Coming  to  a  spot  that  seemed 
like  the  mouth  of  some  deep  cave,  or  den,  I  laid  me  down 
there  weariedly  to  sleep,  with  thoughts  of  home,  and  friends 


12  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

far  away,  and  my  wanderings  of  late,  all  fresh  in  my  mind. 

The  sleeper  hath  ■'^^'^'^^'^^^^^^'^  ^  ^^^^  ^^^^  asleep ;  and,  as  I 
a  vision.  slept,  I  dreamed  a  dream.     I  f;iin  would  keep 

in  memory  that  mountain  dream ;  and  therefore  I  have 
written  it  down. 

What  the  dream- In  ^J  tlream  I  saw  a  gallant  ship  coasting 
ersaw.  along  the  shore  of  a  deep,  broad,  and  tranquil 

sea.  A  murky  cloud  from  her  smoke-pipe  hung  over  the 
seething  foam  in  the  track  of  her  keel.  A  light  breeze  on 
the  larboard  quarter  just  filled  her  spread  canvas.  On  the 
quarter-deck,  half  concealed  by  the  mizzen-mast  and  the 
spanker,  a  man  of  middle-age,  and  serious  aspect,  was 
sitting  with  a  book  in  his  hand.  As  he  read  therein  he 
wept,  for  he  "  remembered  Sion ;  "  and,  being  unable  to 
contain  longer,  ho  broke  out,  saying,  "How  much  have  I 
lost !  " 

His  trouble  the  rather  increased,  as  he  thought  of  the 
miserable  condition  of  hundreds  about  him,  his  fellow- 
voyagers  for  time  and  eternity,  whom  he  feared,  perchance, 
he  might  never  have  warned  enough  of  their  evil  and  danger. 
So  he  resolved  still  further  to  utter  words  of  good  counsel 
to  certain  whom  he  had  often  overheard  profeniug  the  name 
of  Grod.  His  boldness  on  this  occasion  took  them  somewhat 
by  surprise  ;  for  before  he  had  dealt  only  in  gentle  words. 
They  said  this  man  was  alone  in  the  business  of  reproof; 
although  there  were  many  on  board  who  professed  to  be 
holy  men,  and  hailed  from  the  city  of  Moral-action  ;  while 
it  was  proved  that  all  of  them  had  lived  in  the  province  of 
Mortal-ruin,  at  least  for  a  time. 

These  profane  men  were  sore  amazed  at  the  words  of  the 
serious  man ;  not  for  that  they  could  gainsay  what  he 
uttered,   but   because  they  believed,  not  knowing  what  to 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  13 

think  else,  that  "  some  distemper  had  got  into  his  head.  " 
"Therefore,  it  drawing  toward  night,  and  hoping  that  sleep 
might  settle  his  brains,  with  all  haste  they  got  him  to  bed.  " 
But  tha  night  was  to  him  as  the  day.  Wherefore,  instead 
of  sleeping,  he  spent  its  hours  in  weeping  and  praying. 
"  So  when  the  morning  was  come  they  would  know  how  he 
did.  "  He  told  them  he  was  much  the  same  in  mind  ;  but, 
if  anything  changed,  he  was  more  anxious  than  ever  to  have 
them  reformed.  He  also  set  to  talking  with  them  again  in 
serious  mood.  Whereat,  "they  began  some  of  them  to  be 
hardened.  They  also  thought  to  drive  his  distemper  away 
by  harsh  and  surly  carriage  toward  him."  Sometimes 
they  would  mock  hun ;"  anon  they  would  chide  him ;  and 
then  they  ^vould  take  pains  to  neglect  him  entu-ely.  Where- 
fore, the  more  sincerely  he  pitied  them,  and  the  more 
earnestly  he  prayed  for  them,  both  in  hLs  retirement  and  as 
he  walked  solitary. 

I  perceived,  also,  that  with  nevr  diligence,  and  a  heartier 
zest,  he  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  his  book — the  which 
he  kept  always  in  his  hands — and  that,  the  more  he  perused 
and  reflected,  the  more  steadfast  and  calm  he  became, 
until  he  ceased  from  his  melancholy  looks  and  sighs,  and 
began  to  wear  a  bright  and  heavenly  face. 

I  observed  that  now  he  began  talking  and  explaining  his 
book  to  knots  and  groups  of  men,  as  he  found  opportunity. 
Some  there  were  that  loved  to  hear  his  words ;  and  they 
followed  him  from  one  company  to  another.  Ei'e  long  as 
other  men  gathered  round  to  hear  him,  in  the  edge  of  the 
crowd  would  linger  those  profane  deriders.  By  and  by, 
they  began  to  correct  each  other ;  and  in  a  short  space  they 
left  off  their  profanity  altogether ;  and,  finally,  were  not 
ashamed   to   be   seen  walking  with  the  serious  man  in  his 


14  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

portion  of  the  great  ship.  Thus,  by  degrees,  this  person, 
who  seemed  to  be  a  sort  of  poor  pilgrim,  began  to  be  a 
man  somewhat  set  by  in  that  motley  company  borne  along 
on  the  foaming  billows.  Still,  there  were  many  that  thought 
him  not  a  little  singular,  and  somewhat  fantastical,  and 
given  to  whims  and  conceits  ;  and  by  some  he  was  consid- 
ered very  straight-laced,  and  a  man  of  many  prejudices, 
whose  notions  were  got  from  thecatechism,  and  whose  views 
of  things  were  governed  by  Pres.  Edwards'  resolutions. 
Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  so  soon  as  the  face  and 
fame  of  the  Pilgrim — ^for  such  he  now  affirmed  that  he 
was — became  known,  and  his  haunts  on  the  ship  were 
It  gets  about  that  ^^^^^  familiar,  and  it  got  bruited  about  that 
he  IS  a  Pilgrim,  j^g  ^^^^  ^  pilgrim,  taking  this  raute  through 
the  land  of  gold,  for  the  golden  city,  amid  the  serene 
mountains  in  the  Glad-land,  that  a  common  desire  sprang 
up  to  see,  and  heav,  and  talk  with  a  man  so  presumptuous 
as  to  think  he  could  be  a  pilgrim,  keeping  steadily  on  his 
course,  when  those  on  board,  twenty  to  one,  at  least,  were 
opposed  to  religious  pilgrimages,  or  thought  little  of  them, 
or  had  come  back  from  them  disheartened,  in  former  years. 
These  all  were  sure  that  this  individual  must  be  a  very 
weak-minded  and  misled  man  ;  and,  if  he  were  not,  he 
had  got  into  strange  company,  where  the  major  part 
smoked,  swore,  drank,  gtmibled,  and  gallanted  courtesans, 
and  was  taking  the  most  unfrequented — by  pilgrims — of  all 
roads  to  rcaoh  the  Glad-land.  They  did  not  consider  that 
when  one  is  to  go  half  round  the  world  to  find  his  destina- 
tion, it  matters  not  in  wliicli  of  two  opposite  directions  he 
travels,  provided  he  keep  to  his  parallel ;  nor  remember  that 
"They  shall  come  from  the  East  and  the  West,  the  North 
and  the  South,  and  shall  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God." 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  15 

The  Pilgrim  is       At   lenfftli,  SO   Urgent  became  the  wish   to 

askcrt  totell  his  ,       ''      '  ,^.,  ° .  ,  ,      , 

storj-.  see  and  hear  the  J  ilgrim,  and  so  general  the 

interest  felt  in  tlie  matter,  that  ho  promised  the  company 
to  meet  them  on  the  next  Lord's  day,  and  tell  them  who  he 
was  ;  what  he  was  ;  whence  he  came  ;  and  why  he  had  set 
out  on  this  pilgrimage.  So,  when,  fur  want  of  a  preacher, 
a  gentleman  in  undress  uniform,  perhaps  it  was  the  com- 
mander of  the  vessel,  had  read  prayers  and  concluded  the 
service  ;  which,  to  the  Pilgrim,  was  a  pleasure,  though  it 
were  very  formally  rendered ;  and  when  the  excitement  of 
the  dinner  hour  had  passed  away,  he  sat  down  quietly  to 
tell  the  company  his  story. 

The  ntirration  -^^^^^  ^^*^  ^^'^^  bcgau.  I  was  bom  forty 
bcfc'ins.  ^years    ago   in  the  city  of  Doomsend,  in    the 

province  of  Sin  and  Misery.  It  was  a  very  large  province. 
Xo  accurate  survey  wa.s  ever  made  of  it,  nor  any  definite 
bounds  fixed  to  it.  The  city  where  my  father  lived  was 
exceedingly  large,  and  was  crowded  with  people.  Although 
the  mortality  was  frightful,  and  the  inhabitants  perished  by 
thousands  every  year  ;  yet,  so  vast  was  the  throng  con" 
tiuually  rushing  to  the  place,  that  no  diminution  was  ever 
perceptible  in  the  numbers  that  weut  jostling  each  other 
through  the  streets. 

The  Father  of  ^h'  fiithcr  was  Mr.  Frcelove  Gaine  ;  and 
Pilgrim.  j^g    drove    a    profitable    business    in     Dooms- 

end  by  engaging  in  all  sorts  of  traffic,  devising  numerous 
schemes  for  speculation,  and  being  much  concerned  in 
settling  up  the  afikirs  of  dead  men. 

Tii»  Piigrim'ij  I  ^^'^^  called  by  ray  father  Followup  Gainc, 
original  name,      ^{^^^^^jj    ^^^^^^^   ^^   christened,  for   my  mother 

wished  to  name  me  Fearevil  Crainc.  At  an  early  age  I 
was  sent  from  home  to  be    taught ;  and  strange,  confused 


16  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


memories  of  those  clays  haunt  me  still.  But  I  was  not 
suffered  to  remain  long  at  the  school  where  my  mother 
placed  me,  under  Mr.  Wisdom  Branch's  tuition,  in  the 
little  inland  town  of  Refuge,  in  the  province  of  Moderation, 
inhabited  by  a  people  who  had  no  commerce  with  the  city 
of  Doorasend. 

My  father  took  me  home  ;  and  in  a  few  days  stationed  mo 
at  a  desk  in  his  spacious  office,  among  a  score  of  youth,  who 
were  there  to  learn  by  what  appliances  and  sharp  practice 
they  might  hope  to  succeed  in  acquiring  wealth  and  influ- 
ence, as  my  father  had,  in  the  great  city. 
A  zealous  man  '^^  ^ame  to  pass  while  I  was  yet  a  youth, 
preaches.  ^^^^  ^  noted  and  zealous  preacher  visited  the 

populous  city  of  our  abode,  and  in  very  startling  language 
warned  the  inhabitants  of  their  danger ;  announcing  the 
speedy  destruction  of  the  place  ;  declaring  that  it  must 
come  ere  long  to  an  utter  end,  and  no  one  conld  tell  how 
soon  its  foundations  would  be  shaken,  or  the  flames  of  wrath 
let  loose  upon  it.  This  preacher  was  Mr.  Holdfast  High  ; 
and  he  was  one  who  never  for  a  moment  let  go  his  grasp 
upon  the  vastness  of  things  above ,  nor  foiled  to  act  under 
their  power. 

There  were  few,  however,  that  gave  him  heed  and  obeyed 
his  instructions ;  though  all  confessed  that  he  was  earnest 
and  eloquent.  But,  among  the  few  who  listened  and  com- 
plied was  my  own  mother.  She  in  vain  strove  to  prevail  on 
her  husband  and  her  children  to  go  with  her  in  her  flight 
from  the  doomed  city.  My  father  did  nothing  to  oppose  the 
going  of  any  of  us,  for  he  was  too  much  absorbed  in  mon- 
cj -getting  to  take  trouble  about  other  matters.  Yet  there 
were  many  in  the  city  who  made  mock  of  the  little  company 
of  believers  about  to  set  off  on  their  journey  of  escape,    de-  ■ 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILORIM.  17 


tcniiined,  if  possible,  to  reach  the  city  of  Redemption  in 
the  pi-ovincc  of  Faith. 

The  great  mass  of  the  citizens  said,  that,  however  much 
3Ir.  Holdfast  Hif'h  miirht  know  of  other  regions,  he  was 
ignorant  of  theirs,  and  was  a  fool  for  coming  to  thorn  with 
any  such  messages  as  he  had  been  delivering  in  their  midst. 
They  alleged  that  it  was  impossible  to  burn  more  than  one 
block  in  Doomsend,  at  a  time,  on  account  of  the  unusual 
breadth  of  the  streets.  And,  besides,  the  city  stood  on 
the  banks  of  the  river  of  ^Mortality,  and  they  could  flood  its 
whole  area,  to  the  depth  of  several  feet,  with  the  waters  of 
that  river,  in  a  very  little  while.  And  then,  also,  the  entire 
province  of  Sin  and  Misery,  a  thousand  times  as  big  as  any 
other,  was  deeply  concerned  in  the  preservation  of  its 
chief  city ;  and  the  hosts  of  the  inhabitants  would  rush  to 
its  rescue  at  a  moment's  Avarning ;  so  that  it  was  all  folly 
for  any  of  their  people  to  be  alarmed  about  the  mattcT. 

3Iy  mother,  indeed,  was  never  content  to  dwell  in  Dooms- 
end  ;  and  had  onl}-  consented  to  abide  there  for  a  time. 
She  was  born  in  the  town  of  Euphemia,  in  the  province  of 
Innocence ;  and  she  had  married  my  father  with  the  un- 
derstanding, that,  after  a  fuw  years'  stay  in  Doomsend, 
they  would  return  and  settle  in  her  native  place.  But  his 
business  and  his  gains  had  served  to  attach  him  more  and 
more  to  Doomsend  ;  till,  at  length,  she  began  to  despair  of 
ever  getting  out  of  it  alive.  And  now  she  went  out  of  it — 
so  much  alone — as  she  verily  believed,  not  only  to  preserve 
the  life  of  her  own  soul,  but  the  souls  of  any  wliom  she 
might  draw  away  after  her. 

When  my  mother  found  that  she  could  not  prevail  on  me 
to  accompany  her,  she  embraced  and  kissed  me  many  times, 
and    her    tears   fell  on    my  face  like  rain,  while  my    heart 


18  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


smote  me  dreadfully  for  my  obstinate  wickedness  ;  but  still 
I  refused  to  go  with  licr.  Then  she  took  from  her  bosom 
a  volume  of  the  Book  of  Life  aud  gave  it  to  me,  enjoining 
tne  to  read  it  every  day,  aud  to  think  on  my  ways  and  turn 
unto  the  Lord.  I  could  not  help  making  the  promise  to 
read  the  book  diligently,  although  I  felt  unwilling  to  commit 
myself  to  any  farther  task,  or  to  engage  to  follow  her. 

As  soon,  however,  as  she  was  gone,  and  I  saw  how  ill 
things  proceeded  without  her,  iu  our  house,  especially  on 
Sunday — for  that  day  began  there  to  be  a  day  of  carousal, 
as  in  the  rest  of  Doomsead — I  was  often  sad  aud  dejected, 
and  would  retire  to  my  chamber,  and  read  the  Book  my 
mother  gave  me,  and  think  of  my  condition.  The  more  I 
perused  it,  the  more  I  felt  a  longing  to  know  what  its  pages 
revealed ;  and  it  began  to  seem  strange  to  me  that  I  had 
possessed  such  a  Book  so  long  without  knowing  anything  at 
all,  beyond  what  my  mother  told  me  in  childhood,  of  the 
wonders  and  treasures  it  contained.  And  thus,  from  week 
to  week,  I  read  on  until  I  bocame  greatly  distressed  in  my 
mind ;  and,  at  times,  I  could  scarcely  refrain  from  crying 
out  in  my  trouble.  I  perceived  that  I  was  indeed  a  sinner, 
lost  and  undone. 

Matters  went  on  thus  many  days  and  weeks,  and  often  the 
tears  would  come  iu  my  eyes  when  I  was  about  my  daily 
business,  but  I  dared  not  tell  my  distress  to  any  one  for  fear 
my  grief  would  be  turned  into  ridicule  ;  and  when  night  came 
I  could  get  no  sleep  for  thinking  of  my  mother,  my  own 
wretched  state,  and  the  coming  misery  of  the  whole  city, 
and  how  stubborn  and  foolish  I  had  been  in  not  flying  with 
her  to  a  place  of  safety.  I  saw  by  the  Book,  I  felt  in  my 
soul,  that,  born  as  I  was,  and  living  as  I  had  lived,  "  I  was 
surely  condemned  to   die,  and  after  that  to  come  to  judg- 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  19 

jnont ;"  and  I  couU  think  of  the  future  only  with  an  inde- 
finable dread. 

It  chanced  one  day,  wlicn  filled  with  sorrow  and  distress 
on  account  of  my  sins,  I  had  gone  out  from  the  city  to  be 
rid  of  a  jovial  meeting,  and  a  company  of  young  inebriates 
on  a  drinking  bout,  that,  as  I  was  walking  by  myself  in  u 
lone  dell,  half  thinking  aloud,  and  praying  in  my  thoughts, 
and  repeating  to  myself  such  Scriptures  as,  "  Turn  ye,  turn 
ye,  why  will  ye  die  }  My  son,  give  me  thine  heart," 
A  new  friemi  ^^''^^  ^hcve  Came  to  mc  a  man  of  a  cheerful 
appears.  countenance,  and  a  serene    light  in  his  eye, 

who,  seeing  my  dejected  state,  accosted  me  with  kind 
words,  saying,  "  Art  thou  in  trouble,  my  son  r"  "Never  in 
worse,  sir,"  said  I,  for  my  soul  is  troubled,  and  I  know  not 
how  to  ease  me  of  my  sorrows  and  burdens,  though  I  am 
quite  sure  I  should  have  escaped  all  this  misery  had  I  gone 
with  my  good  mother  to  the  city  of  lledemption. 

It  is  not  yet  too  late  to  set  out  fn-  the  place,  my  son,  said 
he,  but  you  cannot  overdo  in  making  haste  to  leave  this 
city,  and  flee  the  wrath  to  come,  nor  too  soon  reach  the 
strong  gates  of  the  blessed  city  of  Redemption,  whose  Lord 
hath  himself  declared,  "  Ilim  that  cometli  unto  me  I 
will  in  no  wise  cast  out.  Come  unto  me  all  ye  tliat  labor 
and  are  heavy  laden,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  unto  your  souls." 
Moreover,  added  he,  you  will  not  set  out  alone,  for  I 
am  come  hither  on  purpose  to  help  off  a  nephew  of  mine, 
one  Mr.  Highresolve,  a  youth  of  exeellent  parts,  who  has 
been  a  long  time  determined  to  leave,  but  could  never  get 
He  teiu  his  ^^^  UKi'^ter's  cou.sent  to  go  until  now.  My 
""'"*■  name   is  Good  Counsel,  and  I  dwell  hard  by 

the  best  road  to  the  glorious  city  you  have  in  mind.  In- 
deed, I  live  on  the  borders  of  the  province  of  Faith,  at  the 


20  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM, 

place  where  all  the  paths  from  the  region  of  Sin  and  Misery 
meet,  and  beyond  my  house  the  road  is  one  and  the  same 
for  all  the  escaped  ;  it  is  the  "  highway  of  holiness." 

Then  he  took  me  by  the  hand  and  counseled  me  still 
more  particularly.  I  was  charmed  with  his  speech  ;  and  I 
had  never  met  one  before  who  seemed  a  man  of  so  excellent 
a  spirit.  My  tears  dropped  on  his  hand  as  I  kissed  it,  and  I 
told  him  that  if  he  would  acquaint  me  with  Mr.  Highre- 
solve,  I  would  at  once  abandon  Doomsend  and  all  my  bad 
associates — for,  indeed,  the  major  part  were  a  sorry  set, 
giving  their  nights  over  to  dissipation,  and  spending  all  the 
heat,  freshness,  and  beauty  of  their  youth  in  riot  and  de- 
bauch— and  we  two  would  make  good  our  escape  together. 

The  name  of  It  was  thcu  that  he  askod  mc  my  name.     I 

the  youth  about  ,  .         ^  ,  . 

to  be  a  Pilgrim,  was  almost  ashaiucd  to  let  him  know  that  it 
was  Followup  Gaine.  At  first  he  looked  sur])rised,  on  learn- 
ing my  name;  and  I  found  that  it  was  because  he  had  known 
my  father  in  childhood,  and  they  had  been  mates  at  school. 
He  said  that  he  had  not  spoken  with  my  father  since  they 
were  lads ;  that  my  father  never  fancied  him,  even  in  boy- 
hood ;  and  that,  of  late  years,  he  had  avoided  him  pretty 
much  altogether. 

As  to  myself,  he  remarked,  that,  although  "  Godliness  with 
contentment  is  great  gain,"  yet,  inasmuch  as  my  name  was 
somewhat  equivocal  in  its  signification,  and  there  might  be 
a  bad  construction  put  upon  it,  and  an  ill  odor  might  seem 
to  rise  out  of  it,  it  would  be  better  to  change  the  latter 
part,  since  I  was  about  to  lead  a  new  life,  and  to  go  among 
strangers,  and  so  to  alter  it  that  it  should  read  Followup 
Good  instead  of  Followup  <.niinc.  I  forthwith  complied 
with  liis  suggestions,  and  ever  since  that  day  I  have  been 
known  as  Mr.  Followup  Good. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  21 

Mr.  iiiRiiresoivo  ^^  maclc  our  Way  back  to  the  city,  where 
ii.tro.i..ced.  ^jj.   Highresolve  was  introduced  to  me,  and 

was  told  concerning  my  wishes  and  purposes.  He  was  de- 
lighted to  know  me,  and  with  the  prospect  of  my  bearing  hi»u 
company.  He  was  all  ready  and  eager  to  set  off.  His 
aflPairs  had  been  at  once  put  in  complete  order.  He  had 
no  patience  with  hesitations,  doubts,  and  delays  ;  and  he  had 
no  slight  need  of  Mr.  Good  Counsel  to  check  his  impetuo.sity. 

I  proceeded  to  write  a  message  for  my  father,  and  to 
take  a  hurried  leave  of  such  companions  and  associates  as 
I  thought  would  have  any  concern  about  my  going,  or  would 
heed  my  words  at  parting.  I  told  them  my  purpose  and 
ray  reasons,  and  exhorted  thorn  to  follow  un  and  so  escape 
the  coming  woe. 

I  could  not  get  away  quiotly,  howovor,  for  the  report 
went  into  the  streets,  and  reached  my  father's  office,  that  I 
had  got  scared  about  something,  and  was  going  t )  turn  my 
back  on  everything  and  everybody  in  Doomsend.  There 
was  no  small  stir  about  the  matter,  and  some  began  to  mock 
and  deride,  and  others  cursed  and  swore,  and  said  things  I 
should  be  sorry  to  repeat,  they  would  give  you  so  bad  an 
opinion  of  the  people  I  was  born  among.  I  did  not  at- 
tempt a  reply  to  much 'they  said,  and  only  told  them  I  be- 
lieved and  feared  God,  and  was  therefore  going  away  at  his 
bidding ;  and  if  any  of  them  supposed  I  was  foolish  or  timid 
in  the  matter,  I  could  not  help  it,  and  they  might  live  to 
know  better. 

But  there  were  some  that  had,  when  at  a  distance  from 
me,  tried  to  scoff  and  jeer,  who,  when  I  passed  near  to  them, 
whispered — "  You  are  right — it  is  a  wise  step — we  are  glad 
you  have  set  out — we  ought  to  escape  ourselves — perhaps  we 
will."     These  persons  were  Mr.  Welltaught,  Mr.  Quitecon- 


22  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGMIM. 

victed,  Mr.  Mostpersuadecl,  and  several  others,  whom  I  need 
The  PiiTim  ^'^^^  uientiou  now.  So  we  got  on  our  way  from 
gets  away.  Dooniscnd,  at  last,  under  charge  of  Mr.  Good 
Counsel,  who  would  not  leave  us  until  we  were  well  on  our 
iourney,  and  the  worst  difficulties  were  escaped.  As  we 
passed  by  Cheatcm  How,  in  Sharper  street,  where  my  fath- 
er's of&ce  was,  and  were  turning  the  corner  into  escape  Av- 
enue, the  latest  sound  we  heard  distinctly  was  a  shout  of 
vulo-ar  laughter.  With  a  brisk  step  we  soon  made  our  way 
past  certain  notorioas  places  in  the  suburbs,  Kouting-grove, 
Prize-fight-ring,  llace-horse-lane,  Smash -up-hollow,  and 
others,  leaving  Egg-nogg-town,  Sunday-ride-rcsort,  Dog- 
scramble,  and  such  places,  lying  around  the  slough  of  Mor- 
tal-corruption, far  off  to  the  left. 
Mr.  Good  coun-       We  had  our  share  of  grief,  and  shed  soma 

sel     entertains  ^        ,   ,  i      i  x-  1?    ^ 

them.  natural  tears  ere  we  had  gone  tar.     Jiut   as 

we  went  on,  Mr.  Good  Counsel  entertained  us  with  his 
profitable  talk  of  the  vanity  of  worldliness,  the  loveliness  of 
virtue,  and  the  wonders  and  glories  of  redemption.  He  also 
instructed  us  how  to  increase  our  faith,  and  how  the 
just  are  to  walk  by  faith,  and  animated  us  by  nar- 
ratin<^  the  lives,  and  citing  the  examples  of  those 
who  had  exhibited  strong  confidence,  and  a  most  he- 
roic devotion. 

As  the  sun  was  setting,  we  came  to  his  house,  and  there 
were  lodged  for  the  night.  Within  there  was  no  bustle, 
and*  running,  and  brushing  up  for  company's  sake,  after  the 
company  was  come ;  for  the  ladies  of  the  household  were 
Good  ijouiisci's  always  in  readiness  to  welcome  the  escaped,  on 
house  &  family,  ^j^^jj.  JQumey,  to  their  house  and  cheer.  The 
name  of  Mr.  Good  Counsel's  wife  was  Serenity,  and  her 
two  daughters  were  called  Carefulness  and  Courtesy ;  and  it 


TIIL:    CALIFORNIA    I'lLGItl.M.  23 

was  no  woudev  that  Mr.  Ilighrcsolve  and  I  were  quickly  in 
love  with  all  we  saw  and  heard.  The  sous  of  Mr.  Good 
Counsel,  also,  soon  won  our  regards.  They  were  called 
Dignity  and  Devotion.  They  were  about  our  own  age, 
but  they  v/erc  far  more  learned,  wi.><e,  and  manly  ;  because 
they  had  been  so  M'cll  nurtr.rod,  and  had  been  so  much 
more  diligent  than  Ave  to  gain  the  lore  of  heaven  and  the 
wisdom  of  the  ages  ;  nor  had  they  ever  breathed  the  tainted 
atmosphere  of  Doorasend,  or  concerned  thems8lTi3s  with  the 
pettiness  and  strifes  of  covetous  and  vain-glorious  men. 
They  had  also  been,  all  their  lives,  constant  attendants  at 
the  Church  in  the  neighboring  village  of  Thoroughwork, 
whose  spires  were  in  sight  from  the  chamber  windows,  tow- 
ering above  the  tops  of  lofty  trees.  It  was  there  that  Mr. 
Holdfast  High  dwelt;  who,  by  his  noble  and  blameless  life  of 
toil,  led  the  people  into  the  conviction  and  love  of  the  truths 
of  the  pure  gospel  he  preached. 
The    'travelers  The  ravs  of  the  Moming  eriinted  the  foliao^ 

leave  Mr.  Good       „,,„,,  ° 

Counsel's.  of  the  lofty  shade  trees  as  we  were  setting  out 

from  the  house  of  3Ir.  Good  Counsel.  We  departed  with 
his  blessings  on  us,  and  many  a  sweet  word  from  the  lips  of 
the  whole  family,  as  they  stood  grouped  among  the  shrub- 
bery, waving  us  adieu.  We  could  not  help  turning  to  look 
back  very  often  while  we  were  able  to  get  a  view  of  them  ; 
for  we  thought  we  had  never  seen  faces  more  beautiful. 

Ere  long  we  began  descending  from  a  gentle  height,  and 
then  the  home  of  Mr.  Good  Counsel  was  hidden  from  us. 
We  journeyed  on  cheerfully,  and  at  a  quick  pace,  for  the 
song  of  birds  was  in  the  grove,  and  new  glories  of  field  and 
blossom  opened  on  every  side  ;  and  besides,  the  day's  march 
was  to  be  a  long  one,  and  we  had  need  to  make  all  ha.ste  to 
accomplish  it  ere  the  night  came.     We  were  brisk  and  joy- 


24  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

ful,  and  we  conversed  and  sang  together  as  we  went,  and 
sped  on  delightfully. 

As  it  drew  towards  noon  we  saw,  from  the  top  of  a  hill 
we  had  just  gained,  a  company  of  men  in  advance  of  us, 
who  were ,  perhaps,  travelers  like  ourselves  ;  so  we  strove 
to  overtake  them,  hoping  to  learn  something  from  them  to 
Thev  find  a  init-  our  advantage.  Coming  nearly  to  them,  we 
eniig  company,  perceived  that  they  were  very  dilatory  in 
their  march.  Some  were  moping  along,  and  pining  at  their 
troubles  and  discouragements  ;  seme  were  lingering  by  the 
road  side,  picking  up  pebbles  and  specimens,  and  looking 
for  curiosities ;  and  others  were  lying  stretched  out  in  the 
shade,  waiting  for  the  heat  to  abate.  As  we  came  up  with 
some  of  them,  Mr.  Highresolve  saluted  thorn,  saying, 
"  Hail,  fellow  travelers,  how  fare  ye,  and  what  of  your 
journey.""  ''We  are  weary"  said  one,  "and  the  heat  is 
intense,  and  we  are  refreshing  ourselves.  Come,  recline 
with  us."  "  No,"  said  we  both,  "  we  are  in  great  haste; 
we  must  go  through  to-day  ;  and  if  we  halt  to  rest  we  shall 
be  too  late  at  the  city."  The  curiosity  men  said  there  was 
no  need  of  hurrying ;  if  there  was  not  time  to  get  through 
to-day  there  would  be  to-morrow,  and  one  day  on  such  a 
journey  was  of  no  conse(j[uence.  Some  of  those  who  were 
moping  and  limping  along,  said,  "  Well,  have  your  own 
way,  then,  if  you  don't  like  such  company  as  ours  ;  push  on, 
you'll  be  older,  and  wiser,  and  steadier  sometime  ;  you 
won't  always  feel  so  engaged  as  you  do  at  present ;  you  arc 
young  in  the  cause  now ;  you  cannot  long  retain  all  this 
freshness;  decline  must  follow  ecstacy."  We  told  them 
there  was  the  more  reason,  then,  for  going  on  while  we  felt 
like  it,  if  their  words  were  true.  So  we  did  not  stop  at 
all,  but  kept  right  on  oiu-  way. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  25 

Thov  meet  one  ^^^^  ^^^  ^'^^  proceeded  VGiy  {av  before  we  met 
Mr.  Promptitude-  ^  ^^^^.^^^  apparently  in  haste.     He  told  u.s  his 

name  was  Promptitude ;  that  he  was  going  back  for   the 

loiterers  who  set  out  when  he  did,  but  whose  spirits  flagged, 

and  they  got  behind ;  that  he  and  others  had  already  been 

through  to  the  city ;  that  he  had  volunteered  to  return  and 

help   forward   those    who   had   fallen  in  the  rear :  among 

whom,  he  said,  were  Deacon  Drudge,  Esquire  Slow,  Mr. 

Coldcreeper,  Mr.  Ardordamp,   Mr.  Heavyhead,  and   Mr, 

Muchadofits. 

"But,  courage  !    my  lads,"  said  he,  "heart  high!  this  is 

the  right  road ;  don't  stop ;  the  city  lies  over  yonder.     I 

will  fetch  the  dilatory  ones  along ;    don't  stay   for    them, 

good-bye  !  "     So  we  shook  hands  and  were  soon  out  of  each 

other's  sight,  winding  along  through  a  wooded  valley. 

They  come  in  I^  ^^^  the  grey  of  the  evenmg  when  we  came 

sight  of  the  city.   -^   gjgi^t   Qf  ^^^    ^^f^^    ^Q^^^^g   ^^^   gjj.^^^   ^^j_ 

warks  of  the  city  of  Redemption.  Our  hearts  leaped  at  the 
sight ;  for  it  was  a  beautiful  city  to  look  upon,  and  there 
was  an  air  of  majesty  investing  it,  as  it  stood  built  on  the 
solid  heights  of  the  promises,  the  glorious  mountains  fiUino- 
up  the  back  ground,  with  the  light  still  liugering  around 
their  tops  far  up  amid  the  rose,  purple,  and  gold,  of  the 
clouds. 

They  enter  tiie  ^^  reached  tho  gates  of  the  city  just  in  season 
*^''^'  to  enter  them  ere  they  closed  for  the  night. 

But,  in  looking  back  at  that  moment,  we  could  see  nothing 
of  Mr.  Promptitude  and  the  company  ho  was  after.  "\Vc 
heard,  however,  in  a  few  days  that  they  were  all  brought 
through  in  safety,  and  were  cared  for  as  well  as  they  could 
be,  under  the  hand,  and  by  the  exertions  of  Mr.  Prompt- 
tuda  ;  without  whose  perseverance  and  activity  it  is  quite 


26  THE    CALIFORNIA    J-ILGRIM. 

certain  they  would  have  missed  the  road,  at  one  point,  and 
gone  wandering  for  years ;  since  it  required  all  his  energy, 
force,  and  firmness,  to  prevent  them  from  going  off  by  the 
side  path,  Slowandeasy,  over  to  the  Paralytic-hills,  where 
many  in  previous  years  had  got  helpless ;  and  so  had  been 
starved,  or  had  been  devoured  by  ravenous  beasts.  How- 
beit,  we  did  not  see  them  again ;  for  the  city  was  larg-e, 
and  they  were  rarely  found  in  that  portion  of  it  where  our 
abode  was  fixed. 

Pilgrim  inquires  After  our  arrival,  with  all  haste  I  began 
for  his  mother,  inq^ij-jng  about  my  mother,  and  how  she  had 
fared,  and  where  she  had  her  home.  There  was  not  a 
citizen  ignorant  of  her,  her  trials,  and  her  faith.  But  a  sigh 
followed  whatever  was  said  of  her,  and  I  was  quickly  made 
aware  that  she  was  no  more  among  the  living  of  earth.  She 
had  passed  quietly  away,  as  an  angel,  moving  slowly,  on 
pinions  soft  as  light ,  and  the  angels  had  received  her  to 
their  joyful  abodes. 

So  I  saw  her  not  to  give  her  comfort  in  view  of  my 
changed  feelings,  new  course  of  life,  and  my  blessed  escape 
from  the  place  of  my  birth  into  the  city  of  Redemption. 
All  this  grieved  me  at  my  heart,  for  I  had  longed  to  look 
once  more  on  her  face,  so  full  of  beauty,  and  so  radaint 
with  love,  and  to  behold  yet  again  the  kindling  joy  of  her 
dark  eye,  as  I  had^often  seen  it  in  the  days  of  my  childhood ; 
those  days  when  she  was  wont  to  tell  me  of  the  shining 
ones  on  high,  and  how  they  visited  our  gi-een  earth  betimes, 
and  bore  the  weary  spirits  of  the  loved  and  good  away  to 
their  rest  above,  by  the  banks  of  the  river  of  life,  in  the 
Paradise  of  God. 

I  felt  assured,  however,  that  it  was  well  with  [her  who 
bad  gone  before  me  to  the  land  of  the  blest,  and  the  as- 


THE    CALltORNIA    PILGRIM. 


surauce  softened  my  grief;  ami  I  the  more  diligently  sought 
to  be  like  her  in  heart  and  life,  that  I  might  meet  her  on 
the  blissful  shore  of  the  Glad-laud. 
Some   friends  I  had  uot  been  in  Redemption  many  months, 

make  good  their  i.  j  i 

escape  also.  wheu,  ouc  day,  I  was  overj  oyed  with  tidings 
of  the  coming  of  my  two  brothers,  several  kinsmen  besides, 
and  a  band  of  my  associates  in  Doomsend ;  among  whom 
were  Mr.  Welltaught,  Mr.  Quiteconvicted,  and  Mr.  Most- 
persuaded.  We  welcomed  them  all  most  heartily ;  for  they 
came  as  if  from  the  dead.  And,  indeed,  they  barely 
escaped  the  most  imminent  danger  in  the  sudden  over- 
throw of  Doomsend.  They  had  been  but  a  few  minutes 
gone,  when  a  fiery  deluge  swept  over  it,  the  earth  heaved 
and  turned  the  river  of  Mortality  out  of  its  channel,  part 
of  the  city  sank  in  a  chasm  that  opened  beneath,  and  the 
rest  became  nouglit  but  a  mass  of  smouldering  ruins. 

At  length,  having  seen  all  my  friends  settled,  and  well- 
to-do  in  Redemption,  and  having  no  more  to  undertake 
that  was  equal  to  my  wishes,  I  resolved  to  start  on  a  new 
pilgrimage,  and  by  an  unexplored  route,  for  the  blest  city 
of  golden  streets  in  the  Glad-land.  And  so  it  was  that  I 
took  this  road  for  the  sake  of  examining  and  reporting  upon 
what  I  might  see  and  hear  in  this  part  of  our  King's  wide 
dominions. 

MORAL. 

Conduct  is  reproductive.  Action  begets  its  like.  What 
has  occurred  tends  to  recur.  Example  enforces  imitation. 
Parents  reappear  in  their  children.  Our  educators  induce 
themselves  upon  us.  We  do  what  others  have  done  ;  and 
then  begin  to  do  over  what  ourselves  have  done.  Our  yes- 
terday's make  our  to-morrows.  We  go  on  to  be  what  we  have 
been  till  new  forces  strike  us  from  without.     These  new 


2S  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

forces,  if  powerful,  may  remodel  our  conduct.  These  new 
forces  may  be  either  divine  or  human.  If  human,  they  are 
most  effective  when  visible.  Hence  the  power  of  example. 
We  mold  human  character  more  by  our  conduct  than  by 
our  arguments.  We  cause  others  to  he  what  we  ore,  rather 
than  what  we  tell  them  they  might  to  be.  We  influence 
them  to  the  doing  of  what  xve  perform,  rather  than  to  any 
thiner  we  otherwise  instruct  them  to  do. 

In  the  sphere  of  morals,  say  not,  "  go  !  "  but,  "  come  !  " 
If  you  would  have  improvement,  lead  it  on.  If  you  would 
get  men  out  of  difiiculties,  keep  out.  If  you  would  strength- 
en the  right,  act  righteously.  If  you  would  multiply  good- 
ness, be  good.  If  you  know  the  path  of  rectitude,  pursue 
it,  and  followers  shall  not  be  wanting. 


LECTURE   II. 


Now,  I  saw  in"  my  tlrcam,  when  Pilgriim*  liad  finished 
the  story  of  his  past  life,  with  its  many  trials  ;  and  how  he 
came  to  leave  the  city  of  Doomsend,  in  the  province  cf 
Sin  and  Misery,  and  find  refuge  in  the  city  of  Eedemptiou 
in  thq  province  of  Faith ;  and  how  he  thence  set  out  on  a 
pilgriuiage  to  the  west ;  not  being  content  to  remain  where 
there  were  so  many  good  people,  and  all  v/as  so  nice,  so 
easy,  and  so  comfortable  for  him,  and  the  happy  multitudes 
had  little  else  to  do  than  to  take  care  of  themselves,  and 
rejoice  in  the  goodly  prospects  of  their  citizens,  both  for 
the  present  and  the  future — while  sighing,  now  and  then, 
Divers  opinions  ^^^^'  *^^^  darhucss  of  the  far-off  lands — that 
the  pi'i"dmTii'i's  thcrc  wcrc  diverse  opinions  among  his  fellow- 
cntcrpnse,  travelers  about  the  fitness  of  the  undertaking, 

as  well  as  about  the  ability  of  Pilgrim  to  get  through  his 
enterprise  creditably';  and  the  most  thought  it  would  break 
down. 

However,  there  were  among  the  crowd  some  who  were 
glad  to  find  him  out,  and  to  give  him  their  countenance  and 
cheer.  Among  these  weie  Mr.  Goodman  True,  Mr.  Earnest, 
and  Mr.  Just ;  and  it  gave  Pilgrim  no  small  pleasure  to  look 
on  their  faces,  and  to  reckon  them  among  his  fellow  travelers 
to  a  better  land,  beyond  the  golden,  even  the  Gkd  Land. 


30  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

I  saw,  after  the  assembly  had  broken  np  that  hstened  to 
Agroupofyoung  Pilgrhn's  narrative,  a  knot  of  youth,  linger- 

men  seen — some    .  iii  i  ,  i-iii* 

mentionea.  ing  on  the  larboard  quarter,  who  indulged  m 
many  sage  remarks,  and  uttered  old  saws  and  truisms,  as 
if  they  had  been  the  fresh  inventions  of  the  hour.  Among 
these  were  Mr.  Forward  Smart,  with  a  dress  snake  colored 
from  tho  waist  down  to  the  feet ;  without  a  waistcoat  ;  and 
with  a  sea  green  coat  on  whereof  the  skirts  had  pretty  much 
forgotten  to  grow.  He  wore,  also,  a  brown  glazed  cap 
jauntily,  and  his  chin  was  covered  with  down,  long  eslfempt 
from  the  operation  of  scissors,  and  of  a  whitish  yellow,  as 
if  cultivated  with  train  oil,  for  want  of  better.  Mr.  High 
Breeding  also  was  there,  treading  in  patent  leather  boots  ; 
his  hat  tied  on  with  ribbon  strings  ;  his  vest,  called  white 
out  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  past,  making  a  half 
circle  around  a  paste-diamond  pin,  that  hung  by  the  edge 
of  a  lace-work  garment ;  and  his  lather  soiled  kids  holding 
a  sporting  cane  to  his  mouth. 

Mr.  Vast  Cunning,  too,  had  his  place,  with  his  hands 
thrust  down  into  his  pockets,  his  shoulders  shrugged,  his 
hatchet  face  standing  far  out  on  the  end  of  a  neck  which 
projected  at  an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees,  his  hat  resting 
on  his  ears,  his  jaws  always  chewing  something,  while  bis 
whisper  in  one's  ear  with  his  lips  close  to  it,  was  loud 
enough  to  disturb  the  fore  castle  watch. 

Mr,  Cool  Philosopher  was  likewise  of  the  company ;  a 
person  with  his  hair  behind  his  ears,  a  broad-brimmed  hat 
on,  gold  bowed  spectacles,  an  egg  shaped  snuff-box,  a  broad 
flat  key  dangling  from  his  fob,  and  a  face  that  neither 
smiled  nor  scowled,  even  when  a  lurch  of  the  ship  sent 
him  backward  plump  against  the  railing. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGMIM.  3l 

Another  char-  I  saw  in  my  dream,  not  many  days  after,  that 

acter  fallen    in  .  i        i    ^  •    • 

with.  JPilgrnu  encountered  a  lofty,  opmionatcd,  su- 

percilious kind  of  a  man  ;  tall,  raw-boned,  and  crooked  ;  and 
walking  as  if  all  his  loose  jointed  limbs  would -come  down 
into  a  heap  at  every  step.  His  hair  was  dark,  his  eyes 
light,  round,  and  big.  He  had  a  voice  like  a  sten!or,  and 
his  manners  were  gruff  enough  to  supersede  comparison. 

This  man's  name  was  Doughty  Doubter;  and  he  was 
He  is  bold  upon  ^^  sclf-confident  and  bold  as  to  assault  Pilgrim 
Pilgrim.  jjj  |.jjg  midst  of  the  whole  company.     At  first 

Pilgrim  had  like  to  have  been  unsettled  and  thrown  from 
his  strong  foundation ;  but  he  remembered  about  the  double- 
minded  man,  and  also  the  exhortation  "  Be  ye  steadfast, 
unmovable,  always  abounding  iu  the  work  of  the  Lord;" 
so  he  was  strengthened,  and  enabled  to  withstand  the  words 
of  the  great  champion  of  nothing,  and  what  not. 

Said  Mr.  Doubter ;  "  Well,  I  dont  think  much  of  pil- 
How  Mr.  Doubt-  grimages,     nor    see     the    use    of  churches 

er  began  his  a*-  ,       ,        ,  .  i-     i       i-rr 

sauit.  and  all  that.     There  is  very  little  difference 

among  people ;  they're  all  alike.  I  doubt  if  any  of  'em 
get  to  the  good  place  they  talk  about,  though  I  don't  know 
as  there  is  any  bad  one  ;  leastwise  worse  than  this  we're  in." 

PiL.  So,  then,  you  don't  think  yourself  at  all  better 
than  the  felons  in  the  State  prison — since  folks  are  all  alike — 
and  you  don't  believe  the  Bible  which  divides  the  righteous 
and  the  wicked  into  distinct  classes ! 

Dou.  Why,  I  consider  myself  about  as  good  as  any 
body ;  and  I  hav'nt  much  opinion  of  those  who  set  them- 
selves up  to  be  so  remarkably  good,  and  call  themselves 
professors,  and  saints,  etc.     I've  been  Law  and  Police  Ee- 

porter  to  the newspaper,  in  the  City  of  Notions, 

and  I've  seen  human  nature,  taken  by  and  large,  hav'nt  I  ? 


32  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

PiL.  But,  sir,  you  do  not  yet  say  whether  you  thiuk 
yourself  better  than  the  felons  in  prison;  and  if  you  have 
been  Police  Eeporter,  as  you  say,  you  must  have  some  cor- 
rect notion  of  that  phase  of  life  witnessed  among  courts 
and  prisons,  and  you  cannot  be  in  doubt  as  to  your  being, 
or  not  being  on  a  level  with  those  you  have  seen  in  the 
criminal's  dock.  Pray,  sir,  inform  us,  if  you  hesitate  to 
think  you  do  not  deserve  to  go  to  prison, 

Dou.     Suppose  I  do,  what  then  ? 

PiL.  Why,  you  stop  doubting  for  once,  and  virtually 
admit  that  some  men  ai'e  positively  worse  than  you  are  ! 
You  assert  a  difference  between  them  and  yourself.  Since 
vr  Doubter  gets  jou  do  SO,  you  upset  your  declaration  that  all 
into  a  corner.  ^^^^^  ^^.^  alike,  and  you  arrogate  to  yourself  a 
character  which  others  have  not.  Now  if  you  may  do  this; 
why  may  not  others  profess  to  be  somewhat  more  than  you, 
aud  claim  a  character  you  have  not,  and  call  themselves 
christians  or  believers,  and  such  as  you  unbelievers  ?  Sir, 
you  are  beside  yourself  in  the  too  frequent  abuse  of  those 
who  only  employ  Bible  terms  and  make  Bible  distinctions. 

I)ou.  As  for  that,  the  Bible  may  be  a  very  good  book, 
Hegoesonanexv  ^^"^  Contain  many,  very  many  good  things, 
tack,  and  doubts  j^^^^_  j  \-^^yQ  jj^y  cloubts  about  some  parts  of  it. 

It  is  not  the  kind  of  reading  I  fancy. 

Pit,.  But  your  fancy  may  be  diseased ;  aud,  surely, 
you  will  not  make  your  fancy  the  criterion  of  all  truth. 
To  what  do  you  object,  and  what  are  you  in  doubt  about  .- 

Dou.  Why,  to  begin,  I  don't  see  the  good  of  praying, 
He  goea  into  ^'^^^  ^  \xavc  my  doubts  about  so  many  meet- 
.some  particulars  [^^g^^  ^qJ  gy  much  worshiping,  and  so  on. 

PiL.  But,  then  sir,  there  are  those  who  have  no  doubts, 
who,  from  their  own  knowledge  and  positive   experience, 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  33 

have  asserted  the  power,  excellence,  and  usefulness  of 
worship  and  prayer.  What  can  your  doubts  weigh  against 
the  testimony  of  hundreds  in  the  case  ?  If  you,  Mr. 
Doubter,  make  oath  that  you  saw  Mr.  E.  kill  Mr^  F.  ought 
it  to  weigh  anything  in  the  case  that  Mr.  (1.  has  doubts 
He  is  answered  ^bout  the  fact  }  Is  that  the  way  to  set  aside 
by  asupposition.  ^^^^,  tosthuony .?  Of  coursc  not.  Nor  can 
your  doubts  on  worship  and  prayer  weigh  anything. 

Dou.  Have  it  as  you  will-j-my  doubts  are  for  myself. 
Let  others  do  as  they  like. 

PiL.  But,  have  you  no  sense  of  duty .?  Do  you  feel 
under  no  obligation  yourself  to  worship  and  pray .''  Are 
you  excused  ? 

Dou.  No.  I  dout  know  as  I  feel  any  such  thing.  "Why 
should  I ? 

He  is  taught  iiis  ^^^-  Decause  the  claim  of  God  is  just  and 
responsibilities.  ^^^  ^^^^it  to  acknowledge  it,  and  fulfil  its  de- 
mands. Grod's  being,  character,  and  position  are  such  as 
lay  you  under  heavy  responsibilities.  You  believe,  of 
course,  in  the  holiness,  excellence,  and  benevolence  of  God. 

Dou.  Well,  I  don't  know  that  I  do.  I  think  there  may 
be  some  doubt  of  that.  There  are  many  things  difficult  to 
account  for. 

PiL.     Do  you  believe  there  is  any  God  } 

Dou.  Well,  yes ;  I  rather  think  there  is.  I  have  no 
reason  for  any  doubts  on  that,  particularly. 

PiL.  What  kind  of  a  God  then  is  he  ?  Are  you  not  in 
He  is  fioseiy  coustaut  terror — are  you  not  amazed — do  you 
questioned.  ^^^  tremble — do  not  shuddering  and  anguish 
fiiU  your  heart,  in  the  thought  that  the  Omnipotent  may  be 
hateful,  malignant,  and  loving  evil ;  since  you  have  doubts, 
as  you   say,  about   his   truth,   rectitude,    and    goodness? 


•34  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Why,  sir,  what  can  you  mean  ?  Fearfulness,  darkness, 
and  terrors  must  gird  you  round !  Wliat  abomination 
may  not  an  evil  Deity  commit ;  what  wrong  may  he  not  in- 
flict even  on  you  ;  and  where  is  your  redress  ? 

Dou.  You  carry  the  thing  too  far.  I  don't  mean  to 
He  declines  ta-  Say  that  he  is  not  good  and  just ;  I  only  doubt 

king  the   cons-e.      , 
quences    of   his    abOut  it. 

doctrines  PiL.     I  kuow  what  you  Said.     But  in  such 

a  case,  to  doubt,  even,  is  dreadful.  It  leaves  you  in  a  cruel 
suspense.  >  It  must  be  tormenting  to  think  there  is  such  an 
Infinite  Glod,  and  yet  that  that  God  may  be  the  enemy  of 
all  truth,  virtue,  holiness,  and  love  ;  and  may  punish  you 
even  for  doing  fliat  which  is  right  and  good. 

Dou.  Well,  if  you  please,  I  am  willing  to  allow  that  ho 
He  admits  a  few  must  bc  a  pure  and  eood   Beino; ;   otherwise, 

things  when   he  .  .  ?  . 

can't  help  it.  we  could  not  think  of  him  as  invested  with 
any  attractions. 

PiL  You  admit,  then,  that  God  is  all-great  and  all- 
good,  and  most  lovely  in  character  !  And  yet,  you  feel  no 
obhgation  to  love  him,  and  you  deny  the  reasonableness  of 
worshiping  him,  and  praying  to  him. 

Dou.     Yes,  I  have  my  doubts  in  the  matter. 

PiL.  Let  us  test  this  feeling  of  yours.  You  know 
His  feelings  are  Daniel  Webster.  I  have  overheard  you  say- 
tested  again.       j^^  y^^  ^^^  ^^^  greatest  man  of  the  day ;  that 

he  ought  to  be  respected,  admired,  and  honored  by  all  his 
countrymen.  You  were  formerly,  as  I  have  beard  you  say, 
a  friend,  a  partizan,  an  admirer  of  General  Jackson.  You 
yielded  him  deference,  respect  and  love.  Moreover,  when 
you  were  well  aware  that  General  Jackson  knew  that  a 
friend  of  yours  wanted  a  certain  office,  still,  you  signed  a 
petition  praying  General  Jackson  that  the  office  might  be 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  35 

given  him.  Thus  you  esteemed  it  your  privilege  and  duty 
He  is  plied  with  ^0  <^'^  homage  to  the  greatness  of  Mr.  Web- 
more  questions,  g^^^.^  ^^^  ^^  magnify  and  pray  to  Gen.  Jack- 
son.    Now,  why  was  all  this  .''     How  could  you  do  so  ^ 

Dou.  Easily  enough.  It  is  ours  to  be  just  to  our  fel- 
low men,  to  exalt  and  honor  greatness,  and  to  pay  respect 
to  men  in  power,  and  to  revere  the  good. 

PiL.  Ah,  say  you  so  ?  I  agree  with  you.  Now,  on  the 
the  same  principle  that  you  do  homage  to  human  greatness, 
you  are  bound  to  worship  that  which  is  Divine.  And,  if  it 
be  proper  to  petition  a  human  ruler  for  a  favor,  why  not  a 
Divine  }  If  you  see  no  impropriety,  and  feel  no  hesitation, 
in  rendering  respect,  deference,  andhonoMo  finite  greatness 
and  mortal  power ;  how  can  you  doubt  the  propriety,  or  the 
usefulness  of  rendering  the  same  in  the  very  highest  forms 
to  Infinite  Greatness  and  Immortal  Power .'  Especially, 
when,  as  you  allow,  the  Infinite  and  Immortal  One  is  All- 
perfect,  Supremely  Excellent,  Lovely  and  Good  .'' 

Dou.  Ah !  there  now,  you've  got  to  preaching.  I 
He  is  hard  pres-  did'ut   kuow   you  was  a  preacher.     I  never 

sed  and  gets  off  i      i       i  n        i        •    i         tit 

as  best  he  can.  let  anybody  lecture  me.  Good  night,  Mr. 
Pilgrim ! 

So  I  saw  in  my  dream,  that  Mr.  Doughty  Doubter  went 
away  from  Pilgrim,  and  never  troubled  him  thereafter ; — 
although  the  Pilgrim  much  desired  an  opportunity  to  correct 
Mr.  Doubter's  notions  about  pilgrimages,  and  other  things, 
he  was  continually  doubting  the  utility  of,  and  finding  fault 
with.  But  Pilgrim  was  not  through  encountering  men  of 
strange  notions,  when  this  man  left  him,  on  his  way  to 
California  to  be  a  judge,  or  aught  else  his  assurance  might 
prompt  him  to  seek  to  become. 

I  saw  in  my  dream,  when  the  good   ship  that  bore  the 


36  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Pilgrim  to  the  shore  of  this  far-off  clime,  was  above  the 
thirtj-third  parallel  of  north  latitude,  and  so  abreast  the  land 
How  the  conver-  of  i'old,  that  all  the  couversatiou  was    turned 

sation  was  turn- 

e<i.  on  the  new  state  ;  its  wonders,  resources,  ro- 

mances and  peculiarities  of  divers  sorts.  Pilgrim  was  much 
instructed  and  admonished  by  what  he  heard  and  saw  ;  for 
all  the  stories  of  witchery,  legerdemain,  transmigration,  and 
transmutation,  that  were  ever  told  in  Doomsend,  by  the  sons 
of  Belial  and  others,  seemed  to  him  to  have  almost  come  to 
pass  in  the  new  region. 

He   saw  those  once  known  as  very  refined  and   polished 
What  chancres  in  gentlemen,  in  so  short  a  time  as  he  had  known 

men  the  Pilfrriiii      •  . 

saw.  them,  turn  to  blacklegs  and  pimps,     lie  saw 

quiet,  sober  men  become  brawlers  and  drinkers.  He  saw 
the  well  educated  youth,  the  loved  and  doated  on,  the  hope 
and  pride  of  a  lone  and  weeping  mother,  fall  a  victim  to  his 
pa  ssions.  lie  saw  the  middle-aged  man,  his  family  left 
behind,  become  a  wine-bibber,  and  swearer,  and  a  gallanter 
of  courtesans.  He  saw  eyes  reddening  with  blood  that 
once  sbone  with  a  clear  and  steady  light.  He  heard  oaths 
from  lips  that  once,  in  other  days,  had  promised  to  keep 
holy  covenants  ;  and  he  witnessed  the  blighting  of  many  an 
early  hope  and  good  resolution.  He  was  puzzled  and  could 
What  he  saw  ^^^  understand  how  ^  this  and  that  form  of 
perplexed  him.  ^ic^edness  and  indulgence  should  come  of 
such  a  voyage  ;  until  he  considered  the  effect  of  all  changes 
upon  the  character ;  and  thought  more  of  the  passage  : — 
"The  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil ;  which,  while 
some  coveted  after,  they  have  erred  from  the  truth,  and 
thrust  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows."  He  per- 
ceived that  the  love  of  money,  inordinately  indulged, — and 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIJI.  37 

Howiovoofmn-  ^hc  anticipation  of  money,  in  like  manner — 
and  au  "sorts'lff  unscttles,  unliinges,  and  upsets  men,  witiiering 
wickedness.  ^^^  ^j^^  freshness  and  bloom  of  their  hearts ; 
and  that  thus  they  are  left,  not  to  any  one  class  of  sins,  but  to 
ready  compliance  with  whatever  passion,  at  the  time,  most 
strongly  solicits  them  ;  and  8o  their  falls  arc  as  various  as 
their  inclinations  are  diverso. 

Indeed,  so  many  were  the  falls  lie  witnessed,  that  he  was 
alarmed  for  those  whose  society  he  had  been  enjoying,  lost 
thoy  also  should  fall ;  until  he  overheard  the  names  of  some 
of  them  whose  derelictions  were  manifest ;  and  found  they 
were  mostly  of  the  very  sort  from  whom  not  much  else  could 
have  been  expected.  They  were  Mr.  Formalist,  Vainshow, 
What  persons  Yielding,  Mcmory-bricf,  Sham-doer,  Shrewd- 

Uipsed  into  trans 

gressions.  manager,  Halfway work,  Jitasy-soul,  JNoconcern, 

Meeklymust,  Makeshift,  Unscrupulous,  and  many  others, 
whom  no  one  ever  had  much  hope  of,  except  when  bet- 
ter men  took  care  of  them. 

I  saw  in  my  dream,  one  day,  that  a  peculiar  group  was 
gathered  a  little  way  from  where  Pilgrim  sat  meditating. 
There  were  in  it,  Mr.  Vanity  Fripp,  who  wore  a  sorrel  hat,  and 
five  rings  on  each  hand.  His  eyes  and  nose  were  seen  just 
Mr  Vanity  Fripp  pGoring  out  of  the  hairy  wilderness  of  his  face  ; 
andseveraiinore  ^^^^  ^^  ^lad  doubloon  buttons  on  a  claret  coat. 
Beside  him  was  Mr.  Eombastes  Ghee,  a  portly  man,  in  full 
dress,  with  a  double  eagle  specimen  for  a  breastpin,  with 
chains  of  unknown  weight,  by  the  yard,  running  around  his 
neck  and  across  the  huge  proportions  of  his  bust ;  and  with 
a  crooked  cane,  made  but  a  little  too  small  for  Goliath. 
Tiie  man  mag-  -^^*i  ^^  carried  an  air  of  loftiness  and  abandon 
nificcnt.  about   hiiu   that   made   him,  as   he  thought, 

perfectly   magnificent  in   all  circles,  and  especially  killing 


25iKi,'iy 


38  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


among  the  ladies.  Next  was  Mr.  Voluble  Science,  a  small 
man  with  a  jammed  hat,  green  spectacles,  seedy  sack  coat, 
no  shoe  strings,  a  face  v»hicli  was  dried  like  the  thick 
of  sole  leather,  and  all  his  pockets  thrust  full  of  instru- 
ments and  papers.  He  had  published  no  less  than  three 
The  man  scien-  difi'erent  theories  of  California  Geology  ;  dis- 
*'**^'  covered   innumerable    minerals   and    mines ; 

invented  smelters,  gold  extractors,  and  quartz  machines 
numerous ;  and  now  was  on  his  way  to  change  the  whole 
business  of  the  country  with  his  "Patent  Obstacle-raoUifier 
and  General  Attractor  of  Valuables."  Near  him  was  Mr. 
Table  Grumbler,  whose  lower  jaw  was  prominent,  whose 
The  man  carniv-  mouth   Opened   like   an   abyss,   whose    teeth 

eroiis  and  growl  . 

ing  at  his  meat,  needed  no  dentist  Dut  a  blacksmith's  appren- 
tice with  a  rasp,  whose  nose  concentered  at  its  roots,  several 
scowls  that  came  down,  like  ravines  from  the  mountains, 
through  the  lateral  seams  of  his  insignificant  forehead.  He 
had  gone  grumbling  over  California,  and  left  it  once,  cursing 
it,  and  giving  it  over  to  barrenness  and  starvation.  But, 
after  having  been  turned  out  of  every  respectable  hotel  in 
the  east,  for  grumbling  about  his  food  and  making  every 
body  uncomfortable;  he  was  now  seeking  his  liberty  again 
in  the  land  where  the  only  notice  taken  of  his  grumbling 
would  be  by  the  speedy  removal  of  everything  from  the 
table,  without  a  word ;  the  only  movement  an  inveterate 
grumbler  can  appreciate.  There  was  also  a  small  caliber 
The  man  of  le-  hT-w^yei",  with  a  bowie-knife,  sword  cane,  and 
gal  attainments.  j-cTolver  ;  having  a  leer  about  the  eyes,  lantern 
jaws,  foxy  whiskers,  a  long,  sharp,  hooked  nose,  and,  in 
general,  a  lean  and  hungry  look ;  who  had  been  home 
shaving  notes,  dabbling  in  stocks,  and  buying  up,  at  a  song, 
old  claims  against  men  whom  he  thought  might  have  money 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  39 

in  California ;  and  now  lie  was  on  his  way  back  to  scent  out 
his  victims,  and  line  his  pockets  with  cheap  plunder.  All 
these  were  returning  Californians ;  and  there  were  still 
others  in  the  group,  and  all  of  them  were  much  of  the  time 
engaged  in  astonishing  Mr.  Mordant  Greene,  Mr.  Novice 
Smith,  and  Mr.  Credible  Ayer,  with  accounts  of  what  they 
Astonished  men  ^^'^  ^^^^  ^^^  heard  in  famous  parts  of  the 
were 'astonished  Pacific  region  ;  particularly,  with  the  narration, 
^'  in  half  whispers,  of  robberies,  murders,  ghosts 

Indians,  greasers,  grizzlies,  gamblers,  and  what  not ;  in 
connection  with  all  of  which  their  own  adventures  would 
seem  to  have  been  most  marvellous,  and  their  skill  and 
prowess  quite  superhuman. 

I  saw,  when  the  loud  talkers  and  the  low  whisperers  had 
Mr.  Thougiitfui  pretty   much   exhausted  themselves,  and  the 

ventures  a  ques- 
tion, conversation    seemed    to    flag,    that   one  Mr. 

Thoughtful  ventured  to  inquire  if  there  were  not  some  quiet 

industrious  citizens,  and  civilized  communities,  where  there 

existed    schools,  and    churches,  and   ministers,   and  other 

indications  of  humanity,  refinement,  and  right  living,  to  be 

found.     On  hearing  this  matter  broached,  Pilgrim  rose  and 

Pilgrim   gets  drcw   near  to  the  group  :  for  he  folt  no  little 

where     lie    can 

hear  the  talk.  desirc  to  hear  what  could  be  said  oneucn  a 
subject.  Jlr.  Table  Grumbler  said  he  had  seen  some  school 
advertisements  in  the  newspapers,  but  he  guessed  the  mas- 
ters pretty  soon  got  all  starved  out.  He,  for  his  part, 
would'nt  teach  school,  and  then  have  to  take  up  with  such 
Table  Crumbier  living   as  they   had: — sour   bread,  salt  meat, 

un    schools  and  "'  . 

churches.  potatoes,   and   awful   pies,  of  stewed    dried 

apple,  with  cores  in.  As  to  churches,  he  never  could  tell 
one  from  a  smith's  shop  ;  and  when  he  did,  he  only  looked 
in  at  the  window,  and  never  would  throw  away  his  cigar  for 


40  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

tlie  sake  of  going  insida.  Mr.  Quibble  Sharp,  the  lawyer 
Quibble    Sharp  with,  old  claims,  Said  he  thought  there  were 

comments  on  the  i      •         n 

same.  chuvchcs  enough,  in  all   conscience,   such  as 

they  were.  lie  had  been  to  sev'eral  to  hunt  clients,  and 
look  out  for  his  men  ;  but  the  minister  always  seemed  to  be 
down  on  him,  and  he  liad  often  left  before  the  sermon  was 
through.  ]Mr.  Parsnip  Snicks  observed  that  he  went  the 
rounds,  and  always  left  just  as  soon  as  the  sermon  was 
done ;  the  last  singing, 'etc.,  were  apt  to  be  tedious. 

Mr.  Bombastes  Ghee  said,  for  his  part,  he  never  went  to 
j\ir.   Ghee   has  such  assemblies.     He  patronized  the   theater, 

his    say   on   the  i      xi  i  /      l 

subject.  and  opera,   and  other  places,   (saloons    per- 

haps) where  they  had  good  music.  He  admired  beauty  and 
the  arts.  And  besides,  he  had  heard  it  said  that  they  sold 
tickets  at  the  churches,  just  as  the  theaters  did  ;  and  !  that 
one  eould'nt  have  a  good  seat  without  a  box  price.  He 
could'nt  see  what  churches  wanted  money  for ;  nor  much 
use  in  having  them  any  how.  He  was  a  man  of  the  world, 
and  wanted  to  enjoy  himself.  As  long  as  churches  run 
opposition  to  theaters,  he  should  take  care  not  to  counte- 
nance them  with  his  preference.  He  should  take  pains  to 
keep  them  down — he  should. 

Mr.  V»nity  Fripp  said  he  rather  liked  to  go  to  church, 
Mr   Fripp    de-  particularly  of  a  fine  day,  when  there  were  a 

fines  his  position    g^^j  ^^^^,  q^^|._       ^  f^^^^^  ^f  J^jg  j-gpj.  ^  ^^^^  . 

and,  for  his  part,  it  was  rather  pleasant  than  otherwise  to 
give  his  dollar  now  and  then  (the  minister  looked  so  thin, 
pale,  and  the  house  so  shabby)  although  he  did  sometimes 
get  a  pretty  severe  lecture.  He  had  seen  a  good  deal  of 
the  theater,  and  he  did  not  entertain  a  very  high  opinion  of 
its  civilizing  power  ;  and  he  should  not  be  sorry  if  there 
were  a  good  many  more  churches  in  California  where  the 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.";  41 

ministers  hit  some  of  his  neighbors  hard.  He  thouglit  they 
endured  hard  hits  quite  too  well,  as  yet,  and  more  of  tlie 
same  sort  would  bo  an  advantage  to  them. 

At  this  stage  of  the  conversation  Mr.  Fair  Mind,    who 
Mr.     Fairmind  had   kept   silence    heretofore,   and   stood   in 

delivers  liimgeir 

of  a  speecii.  the  background,  came  forward,  and  said  that 
he  had  been  in  California  from  the  very  first,  and  had  wit- 
nessed all  the  changes.  He  had  heard  men  of  every  class 
make  their  observations,  lie  believed  the  worst  men  had 
invariably  the  worst  opinions  of  the  country.  Among  pro- 
prietors and  keepers  of  saloons,  groggeries  and  brothels, 
Who  thought  it  and  their  frequenters,  it  was  a  common  sav- 

"  a     hard      old    .  -^  ,        '  -^ 

country."  iuo-  that  ■  California  was  a  hard  old  country." 

People  of  every  sort,  he  said,  were  apt  to  judge  of  the 
whole  very  much  by  their  own  circumstances  of  prosperity 
or  adversity ,by  the  society  they  were  in,  and  the  people 
they  Avcre  familiar  with.  And,  consequently,  you  could 
Si.x  men's    pin-  always  get  from  six  different  men  so  many  dif- 

ions  and     i  ono     ... 

alike.  ferent  opinions  about  the  country,  its  condi- 

tion, and  prospects.  He  said  he  was  not,  technically,  a  pro- 
fessor of  religion  ;  but  he  was  a  friend  of  religion,  and  he 
was  never  so  glad  as  when  churches  sprang  up  in  Califor- 
nia ;  and  he  never  helped  them  on  so  cheerfully  in  any  other 
state,  because  he  had  never  seen  their  value  so  thoroughly 
demonstrated  before  in  his  life.  lie  doubted  if  there  was 
a  man  of  any  candor,  having  correct  information,  who  did 
not  ascribe  a  vast  influence  for  good  to  such  churches  as 
they  had,  and  acknowledge  the  benefit  of  them.  It  might 
be  necessary  to  except  such  persons  as  found  the  churches 
in  the  way  of  the  particular  sorts  of  business  they  were  fol- 
lowing. As  to  the  financial  part,  he  said,  it  was  sur- 
prising to  see  how  cheaply  chiu-ches  and  ministers  were   sus- 


42  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

tained  in  all  the  larger  towns — as  well  as  in  the  cities — in 
comparison  with  any  other  puhlic  institutions  ;  the  compar- 
ison showing  that  it  was  in  the  ratio  of  less  than  one  half. 
The  met  od  of  receiving  a  contribution,  according  to  his 
liberality,  from  each  worsliiptfi-,  of  a  Sunday,  was  one 
dictated  by  the  necessities  of  the  case,  -in  order  to  prevent 
the  whole  burden  from  falling  on  the  few  who  would  be 
willing  to  subscribe  by  the  (j^uarter,  or  year.  And  there 
were  few  true  hearted  men  in  California  who  were  either 
unable  or  unwilling  to  pay  a  reasonable  sum  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  a  sermon,  or  for  a  sacred  hour  of  worship.  lie  lived 
State  of  things  ^^  ^^*^  cotuitry,  wherc  there  were  no  churches; 
mrnd'  ih'c(f  *in  ^^*  when  in  the  city  on  bu.-;iuess,  he  was  al- 
the  country.  -yvays  at  church  and  he  could  and  would  pay  his 
part  towards  its  support.  He  always  felt  better  for  it  every- 
way ;  and  it  was  the  misery  of  hundreds  he  knew,  that  they 
not  only  lost  the  benefit  of  the  sermon,  and  the  luxury  of 
doing  some  good  by  a  contribution,  but  that  they  made 
themselves  wretched  by  spending,  in  dissipation,  money 
that  ought  to  go,  and  might  go,  to  the  support  of  religion, 
the  maintenance  of  virtue,  and  the  spread  of  good  morals. 
A  home  tiirust"  As  to  tlio   portly  gentleman,    and    his    sneer 

at  Mr  Bombastes  ,  i  ,  n-  •   i     ,  ^  ^i 

Ghee  about  the  churches  selling  tickets,  any  ot  the 

creditors  of  that  gentleman,  himself  being  unfortunately 
one,  would  be  glad  to  furnish  hiin  a  free  ticket  to  any,  or 
all  of  the  churches ;  and  they  would  be  particularly  pleased 
if  he,  Mr.  Bombastes  Ghee,  would  appear  less  frequently 
at  faro  and  inonte,    and  even  at  the  theater. 

Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  that  as  the  good  ship  dashed 
onward,  parting  the  crested  waves,  and  tossing  the  foam 
from  her  prow,  and  the  head  lauds  of  the  Golden  Gate 
were  heaving  in  sight,  J>lr.  Dismal,  Mr.  Sup2)lc  Mind,  3Ir. 


THE    CAMFOUNIA    PILGRIM.  43 


jsomo  interest-  Doublc  Dctil,  Mr.  Frcc  and  Easy,  and  others 
remon^tmc"'"*"*  ^'^'"^  rcnionstrating  with  Pilgrim  on  the  sub- 
w.th  Piigri.n-       jg^.^  gf  jjj^    enterprise,  and    cuumciating    the 

difficulties  he  must  certainly  encounter  ;  predicting  the  fail- 
ure of  his  courage,  and  the  final  abandonment  of  the  beau- 
tiful plan  of  his  pilgrimage.  They  told  him  that  some  of 
themselves  had  been  once  of  his  mind ;  that  they  went  on 
shore  vfith  rules  of  good  living,  and  even  Pres.  Edwards' 
resolutions  ia  their  pockets,  and  carrying  packages  of  Bibles 
and  Testaments.  But  they  never,  in  truth,  found  any 
time  or  place  in  which  it  was  convenient  to  make  use  of 
They  have  been   them.     In  fiict,  they  thought  it  was  no  coun- 

somewhat  l?aky  . 

vc:isi-i.s.  "     try    for   such    things.     People    were    in    the 

cou  ntry  to  make  money — how  they  could ;  and  if  they 
kept  to  their  Biijles  and  holy  resolutions,  they  would  be 
forced  to  let  alono  the  most  profitable  pursuits.  Whatever 
others  might  pretend,  people  in  California  were  all  alike, 
going  in  for  that  which  paid  the  best.  Rumor  said  Ihat 
some  of  tho  parsons  were  getting  rich,  but  they  could  not  tell 
whom ;  nor  see  exactly  how.  At  all  events,  they  hoped 
Pilgrim  would  not  waste  his  time  on  impracticable  schemes. 
They  would  much  like  to  have  liim  go  in  with  them  into  a 
Business  propo-  fine  couimorcial  speculation.       His  good  char- 

sal.-!  are  made  to  i  i  •  . 

Pilgrim.  actcr  and  past  history  would  give  the  concern 

weight,   and   be  of  immense   benefit   to  it ;    and,  in  a  few 

months,  they  could  each  come  out  with  handsome  fortunes. 

I  saw  that  when  Pilgrim   shook  his  head,  they  began  to 

Tie  is  pressed  urge  him,  on  the  score  of  duty  to  himself  and 

with  arguments  p  .       i 

but  declines.       his    many    friends ;     and  they   told  him    how 

much  wealth  would  enhance  his  influence,  and  how  it  would 

increase    his   facilities   for    doing   good ;    and     how    many 

churches  he   could  build;  and   that  no   one  in  California 


44  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


would  tliink  it  out  of  cliaracter  for  even  a  pilgrim  to  make 
use  of  any  such  means  of  getting  wealth  and  acquiring 
power.  It  was  a  great  and  fast  country,  and  such  men  as 
he  ought  not  to  lose  its  splendid  advantages! 

Just  then  the  boom  of  the  cannon  was  heard,  the  steamer 
rounded  to,  the  anchor  dropped,  and  all  was  confusion,  still 
more  joyful  than  that  which  had  prevailed  the  last  hour. 

MORAL. 
Away  from  his  permanent  abode,  and  in  mixed  society, 
a  christian  is  peculiaily  exposed.  New  enticements  present 
themselves,  and  old  cues  redouble  their  force.  Even  a  lit- 
tle travel  and  a  summer  excursion  prove  too  much  for  some, 
and  their  piety  declines,  though  they  do  not  fall  into  open 
sins.  In  other  days  the  trip  to  the  West  Indies  has  upset 
many  a  man's  equanimity ;  if  it  has  not  brought  him  down 
from  his  rectitude.  It  should  not,  therefore,  be  deemed 
strange,  if  the  habits  and  conduct  of  many  undergo  rapid 
transformations  on  the  voyage  to  Aspinwall,  and  during  ihe 
transit  of  the  Isthmus.  They  are  lured  to  indulgencies  and 
excesses.  The  selfish  instinct  becomes  more  than  ever 
dominant.  Old  tics  are  sundered.  They  feel  neither 
checks  nor  restraints  from  without.  A  sense  of  lawlessness 
pervades  them.  They  care  not  what  it  is  they  do,  provided 
it  excites  and  gratifies  them.  They  lose  the  perception  of 
others'  rights — they  cease  to  regard  others'  feelings.  They 
are  greedy  and  monopolizing.  For  self  indidgence  some 
prey  upon  their  victims  ;  for  killing  time  many  engage  in 
nothing  but  killing  themselves.  On  the  voyage  up  the  Pa- 
cific coast,  men's  habits  and  intimacies  place  their  lives — 
to  say  nothing  of  their  morals — in  far  greater  peril  than  do 
the  storms  that  visit  them. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  45 

Ami'l  the  transitions  of  tl\e  journey  the  real  character 
will  often  com?  out  distinctly,  ami  present  a  striking  con- 
trast to  the  seeming  one  of  former  days.  The  no-princi- 
pled and  the  rotten-hearted  quickly  show  what  they  arc. 
Those  who  have  little  experience  of  men  are  duped  and  led 
astray.  And  all  who  lack  matured  opinions,  fixed  religious 
principles,  and  well  settled  aims  and  purposes,  suffer  dete- 
rioration. A  man  is  rubbed  and  squeezed.  The  attrition 
and  the  pressure  are  severe.  If  he  be  true  metal  he  comes 
out  unharmed.  He  may  show  better.  The  man,  then, 
who  is  truly  a  christian  will  land  in  California  as  he  left 
New  York.  He  will  bo  tempted,  persuaded,  tried,  and  be- 
sot. But  he  will  nevertheless  pursue  a  straight,  manly 
cour.se,  and  continue  pure  in  feeling  and  humane  in  conduct. 
If  he  endures  the  voyage  well,  we  can  scarcely  have  any 
further  apprehensions  concerning  his  moral  integrity. 


LECTURE   III, 


Now  I  saw  in  my  dream  tliat  wlien  the  ponderous  anclior 
dropped,  and  the  huge  leviathan  of  the  sea  swung  around 
with  the  iurushing  tide,  that  Pilgrim,  having  no  special 
friends  to  look  for,  and  none  of  the  baggage  of  this  world  to 
Piisrim  gets  out  gi^'G  him  trouble,  retired  to  the  ship's  upper 
cnnvdTnakoks  works,"  to  Calm  his  feelings  and  quiet  his  mind 
on  the  scene.  ^^^^^-^-^  ^|j  ^^iq  coufusion,  and  to  get  a  glimpse 
of  the  strange  land  to  which  he  was  come.  But  although 
he  was  no  longer  trodden  on,  nor  jostled  b}'  the  crowd,  he 
was  not  very  ■^ar  removed  from  it,  nor  beyond  its  influence. 
He  thought  he  had  never  looked  on  such  a  medley,  nor 
vntnessed  so  lively  a  scene,  nor  heard  such  a  din  before  in 
his  life.  The  bay  was  covered  with  luggage  and  jiassenger 
boats  ;  and  the  men  in  them  were  all  looking  one  way, 
rowing  another,  and  hallooing  a  third.  Every  oaisman  took 
special  pains  to  spatter  and  besprinkle  the  passengers  in  the 
next  craft,  who  had  their  new  garments  on  for  going  ashore. 
The  boatmen  and  some  of  the  passengers  cursed  and  swore 
so  loudly,  that  the  volume  of  sound  rose  above  the  roar  of 
the  escaping  steam ;  and  he  looked  to  see  if  none  of  them 
wore  the  badge  of  the  billingsgate  men  in  the  city  of 
Doomsend. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PU-GRIM.  47 


As  tlic  day  wore  on,  I  saw  that  the  small  craft,  and  the 
crowd  diminished ;  and  then  l'ilu;riiu  could  hear  from  the 
saloons  below  shouts  of  mirth  and  revelry.  For  old  cronies, 
whose  business  was  pretty  much  confined  to  the  night,  were 
What  wpiit  on  ^^^  again,  and  they  were  drinking  bumpers 
awiiiie  below.  ^^^  -toasting  onc  another,  the  officers,  and 
such  as  they  could  get  to  join  them.  The  sounds  and 
words  tliat  filled  the  air  could  not  but  remind  him  of  the 
scends  he  once  witnessed  in  a  place  called  the  "High  Old 
Hole  "  in  the  corporation  of  Swindleboro,  in  his  native 
province.  He  had  well  nigli  ceased  to  think  of  these  things, 
so  much  was  he  occupieil  in  admiring  tlie  heights,  forests  of 
shipping,  and  the  long  crowded  wharves,  when  suddenly 
clouds  of  dust  were  borne  far  out  on  the  waters ;  the  waves 
began  to  roll,  the  mists  and  chains  to  rub  and  creak,  and 
new  commotion  to  begin.  I'he  mists  came  chilling  and 
Tho  fog  comes  tlrcuchiug ;  the  spars  all  turned  into  north 
on,  ue  retreats  poj^,.. .  every  object  was  soou  out  of  view,  and 
he  was  obliged  to  retreat  from  his  post  of  observation ; 
though  in  doing  so,  he  had  like  to  have  lost  his  venerable 
pilgrim's  hat. 

Scarcely  had  he  wrapped  himself  in  his  cloak  ere  he 
heard  a  voice,  clear  and  ringing,  shout,  '•'  ship  ahoy  !  Jack 
Jack  Steady  and  Stoady\s  boat  oucu  morc  !  Auy  body  for  tho 
Ins  boat.  shore,   come   on !  "     Pilgrim   went   down  to 

him  with  liis  satchel  and  his  guide  book  in  his  hand,  and 
asked  him  if  there  was  no  danger  on  account  of  the  fog. 
Jack  Steady  said  he  knew  the  way  by  the  feel  of  his  oars  ; 
and  there  was  no  fog  in  those  waters  so  dangerous  as  that 
which  took  to  the  brain  5  and  as  he  was  not  troubled  that 
way,  he  could  take  him  safely  to  land. 

So  Pilgrim  seated  himself  in  Jack  Steady's  boat,  face  to 


48  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Pilgrim  starts  for  ^^^^  ^^^'^  ^^^^  stout  rower,  who  Carried  indeed 
^'""'®'  a  most  honest  countenance,  with  no  trace   in 

it  of  deep  potations.  The  two  were  mutually  pleased  with 
one  another's  looks  and  words ;  and  by  the  time  they 
reached  the  shore  were  fast  friends.  Moreover,  when  Jack 
Steady  learned  who  Pilgrim  was,  and  what  he  wished  to  do, 
he  promised  to  introduce  him  at  once  to  some  persons  who 
would  give  him  a  joyful  welcome.  He  was  as  good  as  his 
word.  For,  so  soon  as  they  were  come  to  the  landing,  they 
found  there  in  the  crowd  Mr.  Keep  Faith,  Mr.  True  Heart, 
The  men  whom  Rcv.  Mr.  Search,  a  short  nian  in  sijectacles, 

he   met  on    the  -n     i         tt- 

whurf.  and  Rev.  Father  Hightonc,  the  sailor's  man  ; 

all  of  whom  had  been  a  long  time  in  the  city,  and  were 
familiar  with  the  whole  history  of  so  renowned  a  place  as 
San  FastopoHs. 

Jack  Steady  introduced  Pilgrim  to  them  in  a  cordial  though 
More  aboutJack  li^^ii'^'iecl  manner  ;  and  while  they  were  exchang- 
'^''""^•^''  ing  greetings.  Jack  slipped  quietly  away,  so 

as  not  to  give  the  pilgrim  a  chance  to  offer  him  any  money  j 
for  he  felt  that  he  was  well  enough  to  do  in  the  world,  and 
it  grieved  him  to  have  poor  people  offer  him  money.  At 
first  Pilgrim  had  a  mind  to  be  troubled  about  the  matter ; 
but  when  True  Heart  told  him  that  Jack  got  a  good  share 
of  passengers  who  did  pay,  and  always  returned  to  fetch 
away  any  poor  or  sick  ones  that  might  be  lingering  on  board, 
with  none  to  care  for  them,  and  did  all  witnout  charge,  he 
became  reconciled;  and  his  heart,  too,  was  very  glad; 
and  the  tears  glistened  in  his  eyes.  For,  from  what  had 
been  told  him  about  the  land  of  gold — its  selfishness,  mean- 
ness, and  cruelty — he  did  not  look  for  such  a  man  as  Jack 
Steady  to  meet  him  at  the  very  first ;  though  he  well  knew 


THE    CALrrORNIA    PILC.RtM.  40 

liow    often  Nature's   nolilemea   went   in    sailor's  garb,  the 
world  over. 

The  foo:  now  came  down  tliickcr  and  colder;  and  Pilgrim 
PiK'rim  is  tiikon  was  given  in  charge  to  Father  Hightone,   for 

in      ilKiiire      by  \  .  i  ■        i  />      t      ^  i         i 

iiistiKine.  the  time ;  since  his  place  ot  abode   was   liard 

by  the  place  where  they  were  standing.     So  he  bade  tha 

rest  good-day,  having  received  from  them  a  promise  that  on 

the    morrow   they    would  show   him  what  was  famous  and 

peculiar  in  the  great  city,  and  assist  liini  in  his  observations. 

During  the  evening  Pilg  iin  was  highly  entertained  by 
How  tiio  pvon-  Father  Ilightonc's  account  of  his  manner  of 
till  ''Vii"rim"'"i'i  ^'''^•5  ^^^'-^  course  of  actiou,  in  the  days  wlien  San 
entertained.  Fastopolis  w:vs  much  youugcr,  and  vice  was 
more  opon,  and  churches  were  fewer,  and  the  whole  popu- 
atiun  was  male,  and  was  herded  together,  Ijy  day  and  by 
night,  in  huge  rooms,  eating  at  racks,  and  lying  on  floors 
and  in  dirt,  almost  as  comfortably  as  eastern  cattle ;  but  in 
general  not  quite  as  soberly  nor  as  ([uietly.  lie  was  told  of 
those  times  when  the  whole  flat  was  mud  at  ebb  tide  ;  when 
the  streets  ran  mud  ;  when  walls  and  floors  Averc  of  mud ; 
and  half  the  population  was  muddi;'d  outside,  and  nn!  Idled 
inside  as  often  as  night  came  ;  and  one  of  the  main  distinc- 
tions, in  certain  circles,  was  between  the  black-muds  and 
the  red-muds. 

The  city  then  and  previously  had  Alcaldes  and  Ayunta- 
Theritv  in  those  mientos  numerous;  all  hard  at  work  to  make 
"^iJ^l^l  /"h-  .^' '^"tH  of  land  to  needy  friends.  Socially  they 
"''■  had    "  h(umds  "    and    "  reg  ilators.  "     These 

were  men  who  had  had,  at  times,  honied  words  of  flattery  and 
commendation  poured  into  their  ears  by  persons  of  high 
standing  in  the  comnumity  ;  but  after  trying  to  regulate 
others,  they  had  so  much  difliculty  in  governing  themselves, 


50  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGKIM. 


that  several  of  them  got  hauged  and  the  rest  were  suddenly 
missing.  One  of  the  peculiarities  of  these  "hounds"  was, 
that,  while  tlicy  had  no  difficulty  in  following  up  any  other 
animals,  they  always  lo^l  the  trail  when  put  on  the  scent  of 
a  "blackleg."  In  that  particular,  Mr.  Hightone  said,  he 
thought  some  of  their  recent  policemen  had  been  too  much 
like  them. 

When  they  had  finished  these  themes,  and  had  had  some 
talk  of  the  early  meetings,  and  of  the  old,  dark,  dingy  school 
house,  and  of  the  first  preacher  there,  they  sang  the  hymn 

"  Glory  to  thee,  my  Coit,  this  night,"' 

They  get  off  to  ^^^  having  prayed,  thoy  retired  to  sleep  in 
bed  in  due  time.  ^^^^^^^  comfort  aud  chccr. 

I  saw  in  my  dream,  that  early  in  the  grey  dawn  of  the 
morning,  Kev.  Mr.  Search  was  abroad.  lie  soon  had  True 
Heart  with  him ;  and  then  they  were  ready  to  escort  the 
Pilgrim.  Without  allowing  him  time  to  think  of  what  was 
close  around  him,  his  guides  first  had  the  Pilgrim  to  the 
great  height  in  the  rear  of  the  town.  As  he  toiled  up 
They  get  to  the  the  stscp  it  remiudod  him  vividly  uf  the  "  Hill 

top  of    Eiissian    „.-,      ,  ,  .   ,      /,,     .     . 

Hill.  Dunculty,"    up  winch  Christian    \veut   on    a 

pilgrimage  many  years  ago  ;  which  hill  himself  did  not  fail 
to  encounter,  very  soon  after  his  having  come  up  to  the 
gate  of  the  "  King's  Highway." 

On  reaching  the  top  of  Pvussian  Hill,  Pilgrim  was  delighted 
with  so  magnificent  a  prospect  as  he  beheld,  and  his  whole 
wh.-it  iiiuy  a-dw  nature  was  exhilarated.     When  he  had  taken 

fniiii  th(^   top   of  .  1    ■        1  1  •  1 

the  hill.  a  View  01  all  arouml,  they  explained  to  him  the 

interesting  and  remarkable  features,  the  hills,  the  islands, 
the  bays,  tlie  slopes,  the  ridges,  the  farms  and  the  gardens. 
Among  them  they  also  pointed  out  to  hini,  on  the  opposito 


TIIF.    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  61 


shore  of  the  bay,  Ten  a  Quoicica,  nn  iucipiont  city,  railed  also 
by  some  the  towu  of  Liberty,  bceaiiso  the  authorities  had 
power  by  charter  to  re^mlate  all  matters  affecting  the 
public  morals,  to  prohibit  and  to  license  Sunday-parties, 
picnics,   dueb,  theaters,  brothels,  and  what  not. 

The  story  of  this  town's  rise  and  progress  set  Pilgrim  to 
musing,  and  made  him  sometime  silent ;  for  he  thought  of 
Egg-nogg-town,  Dog-scramble,  Race-horse-lane,  Smash-up- 
hollow,  Fistieuffburg,  and  various  other  localities  around  the 
slough ,of  Mortal  Corruption  ;  all  of  which  had  shared  the 
fate  of  Doumsond. 

The  thought  comforted  him,  however,  that  this  place  of 
Liberty  miglit  never  be  populous ;  that  in  the  future  it 
might  get  a  new  character,  if  not  a  better  name  ;  and  so  he 
turned  and  looked  at  the  city  lying  at  his  feet,  to  mark  its 
bulwarks  and  towers,  its  cupolas  and  spires.  It  did  not 
surprise  him  to  find  one  building,  whose  externals  marked  it 
as  held  in  subservience  to  the  See  of  Rome.  His  eye  then 
caught  another  edifice  with  a  top  piece  on,  of  a  whitish  grey 
hue,  done  up  in  a  cheap,  ambitious,  style  ;  which  True 
A  gianrp  at  pub-  Heart  told  him  was  the  dome  of  the  theater 

lie  buildinns  and  ... 

the  churches.  of  injunctions  ;  but  whether  the  injunctions  to 
buy  and  pay  for  the  structure,  or  not  to  do  so,  were  then  in 
the  ascendant,  neither  True  Heart  nor  his  friends  could  tell. 
He  saw  two  or  three  religious  edifices  of  respectable  propor- 
tions, yet  wearing  too  much  the  aspect  of  neglect,  as  if  in 
debt ;  while  several  of  the  buildings  that  were  shown  to  him 
as  churches  were  low,  mean,  and  shabby  in  their  appear- 
ance. When  Pilgrim  wondered  at  this,  Rev.  Mr.  Search 
said  that  his  and  other  congregations  were  in  the  habit  of 
talking  magnificently  about  churches,  but,  hitherto,  their 
talk  had  not  proceeded  much  farther  than  the  private  con- 


52  THK    CALIl-ORNIA    PILGRIM. 

ferences  and  conimitte3  rooms  wli3re  it  was  held.  There 
was  hope — though  it  rather  seemed  as  if  the  good  people 
were  putting  off  the  rearing  of  temples  for  the  pilgrims  to 
What  the  people  worship  in  until  they  had  all  acquired  splendid 

sppined      to     be  i       i     r>  i        •  i  i 

waitiHg  for.      fortunes,  had  fine  busmess  houses  down  town, 

elegant  brick  mansions  up  town,  and  could  keep  sumptuous 

establishments  ;   unmindful  of  the  fact  that,  in  other  days, 

the  people  of  God  were  found  rearing  their  defences,  and 

rebuilding    their    temples,    before    (hey    prepared   houses 

of  luxusy  for  themselves  to  dv/ell  in,  or  paid  court  to  case 

and  indulgence. 

So,  when  the  three  had  sufiieiontly  bemoaned  this  state 

of  things,  and  discussed  some  methods  of  remedy,  which  all 

resolved   themselves  into  the   necessity  of  nobler  views  of 

the  Glad-land,    and    of  fresh  supplies   of  sacred  influence 

descending  thence,    they  went  down  the  hill,  and  passed 

along  some  of  the  streets.     As  they  were  going  down  through 

They  come  into  one.  Pilgrim  heard  })icrcing  mtisic,  the  thump 
the     lower    re-  i      i        •        i         t 

gions.  of  heavy  feet,  a  ciacked  voice  drawling  out  on 

a  high  key,  "right  chasse,"  "promenade  all,"  and  the  like 
technical  terms  ;  and  he  heard  also  many  outlandish  oaths 
and  noises.  He  saw  bloated  men  idling  about,  and  red  faced 
females  in  dirty  little  groggcry  pens,  and,  now  and  then,  a 
more  flaming  and  fiery  looking  place,  where  males  and 
The  reels.  fenijilcs  werc  going  through  with  reels  of  fact 

and  reels  of  figure,  and  in  garbs  that  beggared  description. 
True  Heart  said  that  street  was  always  noisy  and  disturbed  ; 
but,  by  night,  the  uproar  in  it  was  teri-ible.  He  always 
avoided  it  in  the  evening  if  he  could,  and  so  did  all  respec- 
table people.  It  was  a  sink  of  iniquity ;  and,  although  an 
immense  sewer  ran  the  whole  length  of  it,  it  was  not 
capacious  enough  to  drain  off"  the  garbage  and  filth  of  the 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  53 

inhabitants.  Even  the  augiy  winds  and  a  fiery  stonn  that 
"Tiie  sow  tiiat  ^^^^'^  swcpt  it  clean,  did  not  prevent  an  after 
was  wushed."  ficciuuulation  of  the  same  sort  of  stuff.  It  was 
set  down  in  the  books  and  charts  as  Pacific  street ;  but  was 
more  fitly  called  Uproar  Valley,  or  Bedlam  Avenue. 

They  came  presently  to  a  street  which  Pilgrim  did  not 
hear  the  common  name  of,  but  which.  True  Heart  told  him, 
was  known  in  some  private  circles  as  Vinegar  alley  ;  because 
What  necroman  that  article,  having  been  carted  in,  in  immense 

cy  will  do   witli 

casks  of  vinogiir  quantities,  at  one  end,  came  out  at  the  other, 
through  divers  importing  houses,  in  bottles,  kegs,  and  casks, 
labelled  claret,  old  port,  hock,  sherry,  madeira,  muscat, 
heidsick,  etc.;  and  thus  was  put  into  market.  He  said  that 
in  a  country  like  this  where  files,  dust,  and  spide>-s  abound, 
ed,  it  required  but  a  month  or  two  to  bring  out  the  oldes^^ 
looking  bottles  in  the  world ;  all  covered  with  cobwebs  and 
dust,  looking  as  if  they  might  have  been  hoarded  in  the 
cellar  of  some  old  country  nabob  for  half  a  century. 

Somewhere  in  the  same  vicinity  also,  they  found  located 
the  "  Whisky  Exchange."  This  was  a  place  where  that 
"I'liitv  in  vari-  fii'ticlo  bccamc  mysteriously  transmuted  into 
°'-'""  all  sorts  of  distilled  and  fancy  liquors,  brought 

out  in  casks  with  fimcy  painted  heads  and  foreign  brands  ; 
yet  all  done  to  order  in  San  Fastopolis.  True  Heart  said, 
that,  however  such  "  spriritual  rappers"  as  started  the 
bungs  might  account  for  the  fiict,  it  was  a  fiict,  which  any 
.■^omothins  to  be  ^^'^  might  asccrtaiu,  that  the  amount  of  pure 
expiameU.  -vyincs  and  Hquors — so  labelled — shipped  from 

San  Fastopolis  for  the  interior,  in  any  given  time,  was  sur- 
prisingly greater  than  that  entered  at  the  custom  house 
during  the  same  period. 

Pilgrim  said  he  had  heard  of  a  city  famous  for  its  ale, 


54  THE    CALIFOKNIA    PILGRIM. 


where  tlic  best  raanufacturers  of  tliiit  article  were  said  to 
draw  tlieir  supply  of  water  from  a  paud  into  which  were 
thrown  all  the  dead  dogs,  eats,  pigs,  and  other  odorous 
things  from  the  city.  But  where  the  people  of  Sah  Fast- 
opolis  obtained  good  liquids  f)r  the!>fc  purposes  he  was  un- 
able to  perceive ;  nor  could  True  Heart  tell  him,  for  it  Was 
a  matter  about  whi<,'h  he  had  never  thought  before  ;  but  he 
wue  precaution  bad  heard  some  dealers  saying,  in  private,  that 
they  were  very  cautious  about  swallowing  certain  li(j[uors 
they  found  in  the  market. 

Passing  onward,  they  had  some  discussion  ariiong  them- 
selves concerning  the  confusion  of  the  names  of  streets,  no 
one  being  able  to  give  any  good  reason  for  calling  Battery 
street  by  that  name,  till  True  Heart  suggested  that  there 
might  be  some  remote  reference  to  the  kind  of  treatment 
A  street  and  a  aud  usage  country  merchants  met  with  in  that 

conjecture  about 

it  vicinity,  especially  after  tasting  a  good  many 

liquor  samples. 

Just  then  the  sign  of  "Goahead  and  Driver  "  attracted 
The  firinofGoa-  the  attention  of  Pilgrim.     It  had  so  familiar  a 

lieiui   i:    Driver,  ,         n  •  i  i 

wiiere  born,  i:c.  look  that  he  fain  would  see  the  proprietors 
themselves.  He  found  they  were  even  the  same  he  sup- 
posed ;  men  who  were  born  in  the  town  of  Selflove,  in  his 
native  province  ;  but  were  last  from  the  city  of  Enterprise 
in  the  province  of  Welldoing,  and  whom  he  had  heard  of  as 
among  the  most  moral  and  hopeful  youth  of  the  place  ; 
taking  the  lead  in  all  movements  to  advance  religion,  learn- 
ing, sobriety,  and  good  order.  He  greeted  them  cordially, 
and  asked  them  of  their  welfare.  They  said  they  were  one 
of  the  oldest  among  the  well  established  houses  ;  were  doing 
a  large  and  profitable   business,  and  were  already  reckoned 


THE   CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


The  prosperity  ai"ong  the  luost  Wealthy  of  the  city  ;  as  their 
of  the  firm.  elegant  buikliiig  so  completely  fi'led  with  their 

own  stock  of  goods  would  prove.  Pilgrim  .seeing  some  sii.s- 
picious  looking  casks,  faucets,  and  tumblers  in  back,  aa 
they  went  about  the  building  together,  ventured  to  inquire 
Theory  and'  ^^  ^^^Y  adhered  to  their  temperance  doctrines 
practice.  j^^  ^j^j^^  f:^^.^^Q  region.     They  said,  ''  in  theory 

as  much  as  ever "  but,  in  practice,  they  were  obliged  to 
conform  to  the  custom  of  the  trade-.  *'  Circumstances  you 
know,  Mr.  Pilgrim,  alter  ca.?es.  "  "  Oh  yes  !  "  said  Pil- 
grim, but  it  is  nwre  difficult  for  me  to  see  how  th?y  can 
alter  principles. 

Q-.  &  D.  We  have  not  altered  our  principles,  dear  sir, 
in  the  least ;  we  have  only  suspend;jd  theu'  oparation. 

PiL.     0/  rather  violated  them  ;  have  you  not .' 

G.  &  D.  Have  it  so,  if  you  please.  You  are  sharp  at 
distinctions. 

PiL.  Thank  you,  not  sharper  than  yourselves.  However, 
3-0U  "  own  up,"  and  confess.  That,  at  least,  is  candid  ;  it 
is  good  to  confess  when  guilty  of  that  which  is  not  good. 

Gr.  &  D.     But    you    must    reflect   and    consider,  Mr. 

Deliberation   re-   Pilgl'l"!,  illd    not   be    tOO    SCVerC    On  US.       You 

'*"""'^-  should  bear  in  mind  that  all  our  customers 

want  wines  and  liquors,  and  will  have  them,  and  will  go  else- 
where for  them  if  wo  do  not  keep  such  articles ;  and  so  we 
should  lose  the  profit,  and  perhaps  the  customers. 

PiL.  But  are  there  none  in  your  sort  of  business  that 
refuse  to  sell  the  articles,  and  never  keep  them  in  their 
stores,  who  still  are  thriving  in  a  business  way .' 

G.  &  D.  Yes !  a  very  few ;  but  they  fill  orders  and 
supply  customers  by  sending  to  their  neighbors  for  such 


56  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Diaboios  in  some  quantities  as  may  be  called  for  ;  which  amounts 
sort  whipped.  ^j^|y  ^^  whipping  a  certain  old  character  round 
the  stump,  and  leaving  the  profits  of  the  trade  to  others. 

PiL.  They  may  not  be  so  scrupulous  yet  as  they  ought 
to  be  ;  but  they  show  this,  at  least,  that  they  will  not  them- 
selves sell  liquors  for  the  profit's  sake  ;  they  only  order  them 
for  customers,  to  retain  custom.  Now,  if  you  all  did  so, 
•^rould  not  such  a  course  throw  the  whole  of  that  kind  of 
One  way  to  ^^'^^^^  ^'^^^  ^^^  hands  of  a  few,  to  whom  the 
manage.  business  was  congenial ;  so  that  the  next  step 

would  be  the  making  of  it  a  separate  business,  with  which 
no  one  need  meddle  who  did  not  fancy  it  ? 

Ci.  &  D.  Yes  !  But  there  is  the  difficulty  ;  to  get  the 
consent  of  the  mass  of  the  traders  to  the  arrangement,  one 
half  would  seek  that  branch  for  the  profit's  sake. 

PiL.  But  you  are  now  so  wealthy  as  to  command  cus- 
tomers ;  you  do  not  need  the  profits  of  the  business ;  the  loss 
of  a  few  customers  can  work  no  serious  injury  to  you.  Ad- 
mitting, for  the  moment,  therefore,  all  you  have  alleged  in 
defence  of  your  course  to  have  been  sufficient  to  justify  it 
heretofore,  I  submit  that  there  is  some  doubt  about  the 
force  of  the  reasons  now.  And,  besides,  it  must  be  hugely 
uncomfortable  for  you  to  keep  your  consciences,  for  the 
time,  kid  up — like  some  torpid  animal  in  winter — in  a 
state  of  suspended  animation,  while  you  pursue  a  course  you 
dislike^  and  only  half  assent  to,  merely — for  what .' 

G-.  &  D.     Why,  for  the  sake  of  more  money,  and  for  the 
Wanted !   Prin-  Want  of  more  principle  and  pluck,  you  would 

aple  and  pluck.    g^y_       y^^.^    jjj^^jy  ^^^^  ^^^j^j  ^^  ^.j^j^^  .  ^g  ^^^ 

generally  are.  We  never  considered  this  thing  consistent, 
except  with  the  general  notion  that  we  must  live  and  do 
something  ;  that  we  were  brought  up  to  trade  ;  and  that  by 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  57 

trade  we  must  make  oni*  way  in  the  world.  Getting  here 
we  thought  there  could  be  no  good  and  prosperous  business 
done  without  carrying  on  this  ;  .and  we  have  done  so  ;  possi- 
bly, not  to  our  praise. 

PiL.     Allow  me  to  a^■k  if  you  know  Kev.  Mr.  Search. 

G.  &  D.  Oh,  yes  !  He  is  our  preacher ;  and  an  excel- 
lent one  he  is ;  we  hear  him  once  every  Sunday. 

PiL.  Only  once  .'  Is  not  that  inconsistent  with  your 
praise  of  him  .-  Surely,  two  "  excellent"  sermons  are  twice 
as  good  as  one. 

G.  &  D.  True  ;  but  one  of  us  looks  after  the  store 
while  the  other  is  gone.  We  don't  both  hear  the  same 
discourse. 

PiL.  Where  are  your  clerks  .-  Are  none  of  them  trust- 
worthy } 

G.  &  D.  We  hope  so.  But  they  claim  Sunday  for 
themselves,  exempt  from  all  care. 

PiL.  But,  if  you  were  particular  about  them,  and  each 
should  take  his  turn,  you  would  both  have  two-thirds  of 
your  Sabbaths  for  church-going  ! 

G.  &  D.  Well,  Mr.  Pilgrim,  you  are  an  old  neighbor, 
and  understand  our  delinquencies  pretty  well.  We  have 
subscribed  more  than  a  thousand  dollars  for  a  new  church  ; 
when  that  is  finished,  we  will  go  twice  a  day.  As  to  this 
dirty  part  of  our  business,  if  you  should  come  in  often,  we 
The  traders  are  should  havc  to  work  out  of  it  sooner  than  we 
generous.  expectcd.     As   it  is,  we  will  each  of  us  give 

you  a  "  slug"  for  your  good  ai'guments  and  good  temper  ;  it 
is  worth  that  to  get  such  a  lesson  in  a  pleasant  way. 
Pilgrim  thanked  them  heartily,  but  declined  receiving  the 
money  ;  saying  he  was  not  in  need.  He  hoped  they  would 
not  forget  the  talk  ;  but  would  do  right,  and  prosper.     If, 


58  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


by  and  by,  he  sbould  be  in  want  he  would  let  them  know. 
So  he  bade  them  good-day. 

When  Pilgrim  rejoined  his  companions  he  apologized  for 
his  long  absence  ;  and  then  related  the  conversation,  llev. 
Mr.  Search  said  ho  knew  them.  They  were  noble  young 
men.  They  had  few  superiors.  They  were  not,  like  too 
many  sorry  wretches,  ready  to  give  np  their  Christianity,  and 
throw  it  off,  and  turn  and  trample  on  it,  like  swine  ;  nor  yet 
to  abandon  character  and  everything,  for  the  sake  of  riches 
Sympathy     for  and  popularity.     He  deeply  sympatliized  with 

people  in  a  try-  •    i       /.         i 

ing  position.  them  m  their  difficult  and  sore  trial ;  tor  they 
were  withholding  themselves  from  the  fellowship  of  the 
church,  and  the  active  duties  of  piety,  lest  they  should  seem 
to  reproach  Christ's  cause  ;  and,  consequently,  were  made 
uncomfortable  by  their  position.  He  hoped  they,  and  all 
such,  would  see  the  way  to  be  clear  in  the  matter  speedily. 
It  was  now  toward  evening ;  and  I  saw  in  my  dream,  that 
\  wiiaif  lor  Pilgi'ini  and  his  companions  were  come  to  a 
steamers.  certain  wharf;  where  were  great  numbers  of 

teams,  piles  of  merchandize,  and  crowds  of  men,  of  divers  na- 
tions. There  were  noisy  runners,  fruit  pedlers,  boys  with 
brimless  hats  selling  papers,  gaping  crowds  of  loafers,  express 
wagons,  dashing  carriages,  and  long  poles  with  burdens  on 
either  end  and  Chinamen  under  the  middle.  A  half  dozen 
or  more  fleet  boats,  with  flags  flying,  were  turning  their 
wheels,  blowing  oft"  their  surplus  steam,  ringing  their  bells, 
and  tugging  at  the  lines,  as  if  impatient  for  the  race.  Some 
people  were  chatting  with  their  friends ;  some  were  shaking 
hands  with  theirs  at  parting ;  others  were  running  to  and 
fro  to  find  theirs ;  and  breathless  men,  almost  too  late,  were 
hastening  on,  sweaty  and  dusty,  knocking  over  orange 
baskets  and  news  boys,  and  losing  their  hats  and  baggage. 


THK    CA  I.I  TORN  I A    PILGRIM.  59 

The     steamrrs  The  craft  soon  niovcJ  off,  onc  after  another, 

get  under  way.     .^^^j    ^^^.^    ^j^^    ^^j^^j^    ^^^^    j,^     ^j^^     j^^^.^^^^.     ^ 

living  and  beautiful  aspect,  as  they  walked  tho  waters. 

Just  as  Pilirim  was  turning  to  ask  something  in  respect 
to  the  sort  of  men  connected  with  the  steamers,  there 
dashed  by  them  at  a  furious  rate,  through  the  receding 
crowd,  a  pair  af  spanking  bays,  ;jttached  to  an  elegant 
Aneicannurn-  vehicle,  that  sccnicd  but  a  playthiug  to  them 
""'■  In  the  vehicle  were  two  young  men,  who  com- 

posed a  fashionable  law  firm,  with  a  fashionable  sign,  in  a 
fashionable  street,  and  who  kept  this  fashionable  equipage. 
They  were  dressed  in  elegant  black,  with  white  neck  cloths 
ani]  waistcoats,  and  white  kid  gloves ;  and  they  handled  the 
ribbons  scientifically.  The  one  wore  short  hair,  and  heavy, 
forward-looking,  fierce  whiskers,  and  an  imperial.  The 
other's  hair  hung  in  long,  and  carefully  curled,  ringlets,  of 
a  raven  hue.  His  complexion  was  fair  and  delicate ;  and 
the  dark  down  on  his  lip  passed  for  a  mustache. 

True  Heart  said  he  had  overheard  a  friend  eivins:  some 
Tiie  story  of  a  'iccouut  of  that  braco  of  lawyers.  Their 
br..cconiwycr..  f^^jj^^.^  ^^^^.^  ^,^^,^  Wealthy  men,  and  brought 

them  up  to  college  and  a  profession.  They  were  younger 
sons  and  therefore  thus  favored.  They  had  been  sent  into 
this  region  as  a  fine  field  for  genius.  But  so  it  was,  that 
tlieir  reading  of  law  was  at  first  but  a  sham  ;  and  now  they 
read  cheap  novels,  lake  poetry,  ladies  magazines,  and  Sun- 
d-.iy  papers,  and  sporting  publications,  and  the  London 
Punch,  almost  exclusively.  True,  there  was  an  air  of 
learning  and  study  at  their  rooms  ;  for  they  had  been  fur- 
nished with  noble  libraries ;  and  little  Everdig,  the  white- 
haired  clerk  whom  they  kept  for  his  board,  was  always 
thumbing  the  books  in  them.     As  to  the  firm,  they  could 


GO  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


scarcely  distinguish  Lord  Coke  from  Chancellor  Kent, 
Grotius  from  Blackstone,  or  tell  whether  Peters  was  a 
reporter  or  a  commentator.  They  were  utterly  briefless  ; 
tlieir  time  being  given  to  pleasure  rides,  calls,  theaters,  etc. 
They  would  draw  three  thousand  a  quarter,  on  the  "  Old 
Gents"  at  home  to  make  up  deficiencies ;  and  occasionally 
get  a  friend  to  give  them  an  easy  case  to  argue  in  court, 
A  brilliant  ropu-  ""''th  the  points  all  arranged  for  them  ;  hire  a 
by'lnnt  ff'h^imu  i-pporter  to  be  present  and  puff  the  brilliant 
reporting.  advocatcs,  and  then  send  the  papers  home  to 

astound  "  Ma  and  Sisters."  The  style  of  the  firm  was 
"  Takem  and.  Pleasem;"  very  funny;  and  prophetic  they 
once  thought ;  the  senior,  of  his  success  with  clients,  and  the 
junior  of  his,  with  juries  and  the  ladies. 

Now,  as  the  travelers  passed  up  one  of  the  streets  on  their 
return,  I  saw  that  Pilgrin\  stopped  suddenly,  and  gazed  in- 
tently into  a  saloon,  with  bawdy  pictui-es  on  gaudy  and 
o-ilded  walls,  where  were  a  huge  bar  establishment,  several 
gaming  tables,  and  a  baud  of  music.  Presently  he  walked 
Another  old  ac-  i'^to  t^^G  rooui,  and  Up  to  the  bar,  and  took 
quaintanceturn-  ^|  ^j^^^.^  by  the  hand.  Saying,  "  How  are 

ea  up  in  a  new  -^  i       j      a 

place.  yQ^^  j^jy  qI^i  friend  Smooth  V     Smith,  sir,  .?aid 

he,  is  my  name.  Artichoke  Smith. 

Am  I  mistaken  }  said  Pilgrim,  do  you  not  know  me  ?     I 
have  not  the  honor,  sir,  said  he,     I  am  the  son,  said  Pilgrim, 
of  Freelove  Gaine,  of  Doomsend  ;  and  I  took  you  to  be  the 
Rev.     Artful  I^^''-  Artful  Smootli,  of  the  town  of  Volubility, 
Smooth.  \ivc!:^  by  my   native  city.     Ilush,  hush  !   said 

he  ;  turning  as  many  colors  as  the  dying  dolphin,  but  not 
quite  so  beautiful ;  don't  mention  that  name  here,  for 
They  withdraw  Heavcn's  sake  !     Speak  in  whispers  !    Eather, 

from  the  gaze  of      .  ,  ■       tvt        i 

the  public.  su',  let  US  Withdraw  to  another  room  !     JNow  be 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  61 


soated,  sir !  We  arc  strangely  Jiiot,  sir,  what  have  you  to 
counnunicato,  sir  r 

Now  this  Mr.  Smooth  was  a  short,  small  framed  man  ; 
round,  full,  and  fatty  ;  with  little,  white,  dumpy  hands,  staring 
eyes,  and  prominent  lips  ;  and  he  was  of  a  florid  complexion. 
How  Mr.  Smith  ^^i'^  '^^'i"  '^^^'^  ^''^'^  ^J  nature,  but  it  had 
""  "^  ■  been  eradicated  by   art ;    and    he    now  wore 

a  black  wig,  of  long,  frizzled  hair ;  set  high,  so  as  to  show 
n  prodigious  forehead.  He  spoke  in  an  orotund,  with  a 
vain,  pompous,  affected,  almost  sickening  manner  ;  and  drew 
himself  up  so  wonderfully,  standing  there  on  his  two  pegs, 
that  Pilgrim  was  taken  all  aback,  and  scarcely  knew  how  to 
begin. 

I  saw  you,  by  chance,  and  knew  you,  and  could  not  omit 
to  speak  with  you,  said  Pilgrim.  How  long,  sir,  pray,  since 
you  forsook  Volubility. 

A.  S.  I  had  long  felt,  as  you,  sir,  may  be  aware,  that 
A  reason  for  ^J  t'dcnts  Were  being  wasted  where  I  was, 
emigraton.  ^j^,^^  j  ^^^  being  buricd  up  in  a  small  town, 

that  I  was  being  poorly  appreciated ;  and  so  I  came  thence 
four  years  ago. 

PiL.  Have  you  ever  preached  anywhere  in  California, 
Mr.  Smooth  .' 

A,  S.  Smith,  sir,  if  you  please  ;  A.  Smith. — When  I 
A  riian<io  ami  a  ^^'"^^  being  brought  liithcr,  sir,  I   changed  my 

transmutation.       ^^j^,^^  ^^^  ^^^^  ^.^^^^^        rj^-j^g  j^^^    ^^.^f^|  S,nootll 

never  landed  here  ;  he  was  then  being  only  Mr.  A.  Smith, 
and  such  he  continues  to  bo,  at  your  service. 

PiL.  What  business  have  yon  been  pursuing,  and  with 
what  success  .' 

A.  S.     I  kept  a  bank,  sir,  the  first  year.     Since  then,  I 


t)2  THE    CALIFORXIA    PILGRIM, 


Banking.  have  been  engcaged  in  scvera]  public  banking 

establishments  like  the  one  you  have  just  seen. 

PiL.  I  don't  know  as  I  exactly  comprehend  you,  sir  ; 
you  said  "  banking  establishments,"  I  saw  in  the  room  only 
tables  for  cards  and  dice. 

A.  S.  Oh,  they  are  private  affairs  ; — if  you  will  under- 
stand that  any  better ;  they  are  banks  for  faro,  monte, 
and  the  like. 

PiL.  Indeed,  you  surprise  me  Mr.  Smooth  !  Is  this 
possible  in  your  case  : 

A.  S.  Certainly  sir,  why  not  r  I  gave  up  my  profession, 
as  I  informed  you.  I  was  then  only  a  private  gentleman. 
I  came  hither  to  make  mone3^  Nothing  I  could  do  was  so 
Playing  a  fair  prof  table  as  this.  I  played  a  fair  game.  I 
game.  paid  back  all  winnings  from  any  old  friends, 

and  so  sealed  their  lips.  Nobody  was  compelled  to  bet  on 
my  cards.  If  any  did,  and  lost,  it  was  their  fault  ;  they 
might  have  known  better.  I  told  no  lies,  as  editors,  lawyers, 
doctors,  mechanics,  and  traders  did  ;  and  I  cheated  none  but 
such  as  tried  to  cheat  mo.  In  short,  sir,  I  did  an  honorable 
and  a  flourishing  business  ;  in  my  estimation. 

PiL.  But,  is  it  known  at  your  old  home,  sir,  that  you 
have  been  doing  thus  .' 

A.  S.  No,  sir,  I  think  not.  I  do  not  wish  it  to  be. 
No  decent  man  will  tell  tales  there  about  me. 

Pir,.  But,  sotting  that  aside,  is  not  this  sort  of  business 
disreputable  and  demoralizing.' 

A.  S.  Disreputable  !  Not  in  my  estimation,  in  Califor- 
nia, Demoralizing ; — perhaps  so  ;  if  you  can  spoil  rotten 
Bad  eg?s.  Gggs.     3Iost   men   I  see   here  are  pretty  well 

gone  in  evil  before  they  come.  Their  money  is  bound  to  go 
somehow ;  and  we  may  as  well  have  it  as  anybody. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  63 


PiL.  But  you  do  not  consider  this  cliristiaa  doctrine,  do 
you,  Mr.  Suiooth  .' 

A.  S.  No  sir,  nut  at  all.  I  told  you  I  did  not  come  to 
California  sir,  to  bo  either  a  preacher  or  a  christian.  I  aia 
an  only  adventurer,  sir.  I  shall  make  ray  pile,  go  home, 
and  be  a  gentleman. 

PiL.  Perhaps  you  may  do  so ;  but  you  forget  what 
injury  you  may  be  doing  in  tho  commuuity;  and  what 
reproac-h  you  may  bring  on  the  good  cause. 

A.  S.  Tlij  "good  cause"  be  hanged.  As  to  the  com- 
munity,  this  community,   sir,  isn't  worth  a  ;  all  are 

An      impariiai  koavcs,  thievcs,  swindlors,  and  hypocrites  !     I 

iiKin's  opinion  of  i     •    <?  i 

uie  conuuunity.  don't  mtend  to  stay  long  among  such  miernal 
scoundrels  as  this  country  is  full  of.  It's  not  worth  your 
while  to  try  to  bo  a  pilgrim  hore  ;  you'll  get  broke,  I  know. 
I  should,  I'm  sure  ;  and  I  consider  most  people  a  good  deal 
worse  than  I  am,  in  California 

Well,  said  Pilgrim,  I  cannot  stop  to  argue  the  })oint ;  I 
fear  you  have  be^a  given  up,  or  rathor  have  given  yourself 
up,  to  work  inipity.  I  entreat  j-ou  to  renounco  this 
busiaess.     Crood  evening  sir. 

A.  S.     Good  night. 

So  Pilgrim  rejoined  his  companions ;  and  they  went 
homeward.  But  in  their  cjnvorsation  and  prayers,  that, 
niofht,  they  rej  oiced  and  blessed  God  that  after  all  they  had 
seen,  they  know  there  was  still  so  much  of  moral  goodness 
and  virtue  in  the  land  of  gold. 

MORAL. 
It  is  the  privilege  of  us  all  to  give  thanks  thus.     We  all 
do  know  people  among  us  of  incorruptible  integrity.     "Wary 
and  suspicious  as  we  are  required  to  be  of  all  strangers,  ex- 


64  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


cept  as  we  can  read  their  characters  in  the  face  and  in  the 
manner,  we  are  not  obhged  to  be  so  when  we  come  in  contact 
with  the  tried  and  the  faitlifnl.  We  can  confide  in  a 
cherished  few.     We  can  trust  them  to  any  extent. 

It  is  true,  evil  reports  have  gone  abroad  concerning  tlie 
state  of  christian  morals  among  us,  and  the  degree  of  piety 
prevalent  in  our  churches.  Such  reports  are  not  well 
founded.  Certainly  they  convey  a  wrong  impression  in 
respect  to  such  in  our  communities  as  are  actually  and 
fully  in  connection  with  our  churches.  There  are  ver}  many 
among  us,  who  were  members  of  churches  elsewhere,  but 
are  not  here,  and  will  not  become  such.  These  who  keep 
aloof  from  us  are  the  classes  that  give  rise  to  these  evil 
reports.  In  too  many  instances  the  stories  told  of  their 
moral  deterioration  and  defection  are  true.  But  he  is  a 
rash  and  unjust  man,  who,  with  a  few  persons  in  his  eye, 
makes  a  sweeping  charge  of  inconstancy,  dereliction,  and 
ii-religion  against  us  all  as  christians. 

The  ministry  has  come  in  for  its  share  of  reproach  and 
defamation  ;  not  without  some  show  of  reason,  based  on  the 
conduct  of  a  few  individuals.  There  are  those  who  have 
been,  in  some  form,  and  at  some  period,  in  the  exercise  of 
the  functions  of  an  office  so  sacred,  who  have  disgraced  and 
abused  it.  Their  misdoings  have  made  partial  men  unjust 
toward  the  whole  body  of  our  clergymen,  and  base  men, 
calumnious  of  them.  There  have  been  not  less  than  two 
hundred  clergymen  resident  in  the  State.  From  personal 
knowledge,  or  on  what  I  esteem  good  and  clear  testimony, 
I  can  instance  one  Congregational  minister  as  having 
gambled ;  one  Presbyterian  minister  as  having  become 
l)rofane ;  two  Baptist  ministers  as  having  been  engaged 
in  gambling  saloons;    one    P]piscopal  clergyman  as  having 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  G5 


swindled  and  been  otherwise  morally  corrupt ;  four 
Methodist  Episcopal  miuisters  as  having  sold  liquors, 
gambled,  or  practised  other  immoralities ;  and  one 
Protestant  Methodist  preacher  as  having  become  drunken 
and  profane.  These  are  all  that  I  can  be  sure  about.  I 
have  heard  many  reports  of  like  cases.  AVe  all  have. 
But  we  must  not  believe  one  of  them  unless  we  can  have 
name,  place,  dato,  eye  witnesses,  and  those  veracious  men. 
If  we  believe  all  the  rumors  and  reports  that  reach  ua 
in  this  land,  in  respect  to  any  matter,  we  shall  become 
credulous  fools,  and  shall  soon  find  ourselves  thoroughly 
stranded  on  the  island  of  gullibility.  There  may  have 
been  among  the  clergymen  other  instances  than  these  of 
moral  defection.  There  probably  have  been,  but  they 
are  not  known  to  me. 

I  have  known  several  ministers  in  the  country  not 
engaged  in  preaching,  but  in  other  emjiloyments.  They 
are  not  of  course  included  in  the  above  list,  because  nothing 
has  ever  been  alleged  and  proved  against  their  moral  and 
christian  character  ;  unless  it  be  that  they  have  given  up 
preaching  for  the  sake  of  entering  on  some  secular  pursuit. 
]5ut  one  has  always  a  legal,  if  not  an  ecpiitable,  right  to  leave 
the  ministry ;  and  he  has  a  moral  right  also  to  do  it,  when 
convinced,  by  his  own  experienoo  and  the  advice  of  his 
brethren,  that  he  is  not  fit  for  the  station,  and  that  he  can 
be  more  truly  useful  in  some  other  sphere  ;  and  also  when 
he  is  broken  down  in  health,  and  unable  to  perform  the 
functions  of  a  clergyman.  It  may  oven  become  his  duty 
to  leave  the  ministry  and  forego  all  his  preferences  for 
remaining  in  it.  One  should  hesitate  long  before  doing  it  ; 
])ut  when  he  feels  compelled  to  do  so ;  ho  ought  to  be 
'  allowed  to  do  it,  in  a  regular  way,  and  without  any  loss  of 


66  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


cliaracter  or  respect  as  a  man  and  a  christian.  We  must 
decide,  each  for  himself,  diroii:ih  Lick  of  any  fairer  metliod 
of  determining,  whether  any  in  CaUfornia  have  forsaken  the 
ministry  for  reasons  that  could  not  justify  them. 

While  we  rejoice  over  tho  mor-al  goodness  that  has 
persisted  and  now  remains,  wc  must  allow  what  our  eyes 
see  to  modify  and  'correct  ■owv  views  of  human  nature.  In 
the  regions  whence  Ave  came  there  has  been,  for  some  years,  a 
growing  disposition  to  think  too  well  of  our  common  nature, 
it.s  innocencies,  excellencies,  capabilities,  and  susceptibilities 
to  cood.  Human  nature  thei-e  is  not  so  free  to  show  its 
worst  features  as  here.  All  the  influences  gendered  in  a 
well  regulated  social  state  are  there  thrown  around  men  to 
repress  their  worst  instincts  and  cherish  their  better  ones. 
The  atmosphere  of  society,  as  it  invests  them,  is  that  of  the 
temperate  and  not  of  the  ti'opical  zone.  Their  native 
propensities  to  evil  are  stinted  and  dwarfed  ;  they  cannot 
become  such  rank  and  overshadowing  growths  as  in  other 
climes.  xVnd  hence,  few  there  can  ever  know  what  man  is 
on  the  vicious  side  ;  and  into  what  a  monster  of  villainy  he 
may  grow.  Here  Ave  sec  our  nature  free  to  develop 
according  to  its  leanings  ;  laterally,  downwardly.  Here, 
where  there  has  been  ^vAi  a  weakening  of  restraints, 
such  a  letting  down  of  principles,  so  general  a 
deterioration,  and  a  vitiosity  of  public  sentiment  such, 
that  it  has  brought  down  the  educated  and  refiued  to 
wallow  in  filth  with  brutes,  has  corrupted  the  fountains  of 
law  and-  justice,  has  entered  among  those  who  onco 
professed  religion,  and  perverted  them,  and  has  even 
invaded  the  ranks  of  the  ministry,  and  caused  some  to  fall ; 
here  we  have  learned  how  terrible  in  wickedness  a  man  may 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  67 


bo,  and  to  wli:vt  depths  of  meanness,  vileness,  and  baseness 
our  nature  is  capaltle  of  beini;  degraded. 

Aceo;dingly,  wo  know  huiu:in  nature,  in  its  leanings  and 
capabilities,  a.s  the  great  mass  of  om*  contemporaries  do  not, 
and  never  can,  till  they  arc  in  positions  like  ours.  We  have 
ceased  to  think  too  well  of  human  nature.  Mankind  are 
not  rated  high  among  us.  Perhaps  we  hold  -men  too 
cheai:)ly.  Possibly  we  are  going  to  the  other  extreme,  and 
are  beginning  to  think  too  ill  of  our  humanity.  AVe  may 
b3  too  much  depressed  and  humiliated  by  what  we  see. 
While  wo  can  not  think  too  poorly  of  human  nature  in  its 
utter  and  entire  depravity,  since  it  is  bad  enough  at  best, 
we  .should  beware  lest  we  think  ill  of  it  in  such  a  way  as  to 
discourage  effort  and  lead  us  to  abandon  liopc  ;  for  wc  have 
nought  to  do  with  melancholy  and  despair. 


LECTURE   IV. 


Now  I  saw  in  my  di-eaiu,  that,  when  the  second  morning 
dawned,  and  Pilgrim  tliought  of  the  long  journey  before 
him,  the  delays  he  should  be  likely  to  meet  with,  and 
tlie  approach  of  the  inclement  season,  he  began  to  feel  in 
haste  to  depart  from  the  noisy  metropolis  of  all  Bustledom, 
and  to  proceed  on  his  journey. 

Ilowboit,  he  had  yet  some  places  to  visit,  and  some  things 
to  sec  in  San  Fastopolis  and  its  vicinity.  So  he  went  forth 
under  the  guidance  of  Ecv.  Mr.  Goodwill,  Mr.  Keep  Faith, 
and  Mr.  Staunchman,  a  newly  come  jierson,  who  wished  to 
be  with  them  for  better  acquaintance ;  and  the  four  set  out 
in  great  cheerfulness,  on  their  tour  of  observation. 

So  Pilgrim  took  leave  of  Mr.  Search,  and  his  excellent 
lady,  thanking  them  for  their  hospitality,  and  wishing  them 
health  and  peace.  From  the  house  of  their  rest  they 
descended  to  the  bottom  of  a  sandy  hollow,  through  which 
the  surplus  runnings  of  several  springs  were  slowly  oozing 
Avasiiervvoman's  ^'^^J'"  ^^Jj  Underneath  clothes  lines,  and  among 
^'^  ^''  washThouses,  where  people  were  continually  in 

the  suds.  Having  picked  their  way  across  the  moist  sand- 
mixture,  they  came  upon  a  hard  topped  hill,  went  down  the 
broad  street  to  a  rich  man's  corner,  where  the  blossoms  of 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  69 

late  summer  yet  lingered  in  border  and  parterre,  and, 
turning  to  the  right,  they  passed,  by  a  still  more  steep 
declivity,  into  a  second  hollow  deeper  even  than  the  first. 
Nearly  over  the  little  stream  that  trickled  down  the  center 
was  standing  high  up  on  posts  a  long,  low  building,  which 
Mr.  Staunchman,  being  rather  verdant,  took  for  a  bowling- 
alley  instead  of  a  female  academy.  On  the  hill-side  near 
by,  towered  aloft  an  umber  colored,  gothic  structure  ;  a  very 
A  high  ciiurch.  high  church  in  rather  a  lowly  place  ;  but  Keep 
Faith  said  it  was  warranted  to  him  to  aftbrd  the  best  music 
h\  the  city. 

Ascending  to  the  very  top  of  a  second  and  higher  hill, 
they  came  up  to  a  checkered  building,  where  they  found  a 
Fciiooi  upon  an  scliool,  taught  by  Mr.  Propriety  and  his  wife 
eieration.  Prudence,  and  a  lady  called  Fraucesca.      They 

were  pleased  with  the  bright  and  happy  faces  they  saw  all 
around  them ;  but  they  lingered  only  a  moment,  for  the 
bell  on  the  post  began  to  ring,  and  study  hours  were  at  hand. 

Having  taken  a  look  at  the  white  chapel  hard  by,  which 
was  without  either  cupola  or  spire,  they  proceeded  to  the 
task  of  working  down  from  those  lofty  regions,  overlooking 
town,  harbor,  and  bay,  toward  the  places  of  mark  and  note, 
and  the  most  frequented  streets  and  lanes.  Downward  they 
went,  and  still  downward,  along  a  narrow,  uneven,  ill-graded 
street,  crossing  at  right  angles  a  broad  and  majestic  avenue 
They  romo   in  whcre  tlic  "  Upper  Ten"  had  begun  to  build 

si),'lit   of  Aristo-  i        t  i  •  ti         i       p 

craticrow.  them  splcndid  mansions,  not  unlike  the  laraou.s 

ones  in  the  row  in  tlio  great  town  of  Vanity,  where  dwelt 
Lord  Luxurious,  Lord  Livewell,  and  my  Lord  Millionaire 
All  at  once  they  came  to  a  halt  at  the  corner  of  a  dusty 
A  place  called  and  uucleauly  opening,  having  very  much  the 
square.  appearance  of  a  place  in  the  city  of  Doomsend 


70  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


made  for  impounding  stray  cattk.  Thi^  one  bad  been 
enclosed  with  a  fence  of  posts  and  rails  which  seemed  to 
have  served  the  purpose  of  keeping  everything  in  and 
nothing  out. 

On  one  side  of  it  they  were  shown  the  spot  where  an 
A  niidni"in  tra-  excitcd  populace,  at  the  hour  of  midnight,  had 
^^^^'  gibbeted  a  sorry  thief,  without  the  ordinary 

forms  of  law.  Conflagrations  had  eJQPaced  everything  but 
the  memory  of  the  scene.  That,  neither  fires  could  burn 
nor  waters  quench  ;  it  would  survive  the  generations  of 
them  that  witnessed  the  horrors  of  the  mournful  tragedy. 

Unsightly  as  was  the  square,  it  was  the  city's  chief  place 
of  convocation  ;  and  it  was  surrounded  with  some  of  the 
most  imposing  edifices  the  city  could  boast.  Here  were 
publishing  establishments,  flash  saloons,  fashionable  diink- 
ing  houses,  customs  hall,  gambling  saloons,  hotels,  exchanges, 
public  offices,  and  blazing  show-windows.  In  the  sunny 
weather  crowds  of  extravagantly  dressed  men  thronged  the 
side  walks,  smoking  cigars,  discussing  the  city  finances,  the 
last  duel,  the  latest  intrigue  brought  to  light,  the  most 
An  out-of-door  recent  row,  and  swearing  promiscuously, 
company.  Thcsc  werc  loafcrs  by  position,  pimps,  venders 

of  raffle  tickets,  political  hangers  on,  genteel  men  of  leisure, 
and  gentlemen  of  honor.  Elbowing  their  way  through  the 
mass,  and  hurrying,  went  traders  and  contractors,  head 
down  and  hat  pitched  forward ;  lawyers,  with  books  and 
papers  ;  physicians,  with  pill  and  plaster,  looking  mysterious ; 
and  clerks  and  express  men,  with  letters  and  bundles ; 
while  some  cautious  and  careful  men,  to  keep  whole 
garments,  took  the  middle  of  the  street. 

Going  onward  to  the  street  that  ran  by  the  lower  side  of 
the    cattle   pound,    they    found    a    narrow   passage   open 


THE    CAMFORNIA    PILGRIM.  71 

— -* 

between  a  line  of  horses  and  carriages  ranged  along  one 
curb,  and  a  row  of  boot  blacks  ranged  along  the  other  and 
furnished  each  with  an  armed  chair  and  a  footstool,  in 
addition  to  scrapers,  brushes  and  blacking.  They  did 
not  even  go  upon  the  side  walk  in  front  of  the  "  Dorado" 
of  brick,  believing  the  less  that  was  known  of  its  business 
and  its  fame,  the  better. 

Presently  they  came  in  front  of  an  imposing  edifice 
of  free  stone,  of  a  dun  brown  color  ;  a  color  thought  to 
have  significance.  From  the  time  it  became  the  "  theater 
The  new  City  ^^  injunctions "  it  was  turned  also  into  a 
"*  '■  speculators'  elysium,  toward  the  consummation 

of  whose  perfect  bliss  all  citizens  were  forced  t)  coutribut^i 
their  mite  and  majesty ;  and  the  legitimacy  of  the  doings  of 
the  "  City  Fathers"  in  procuring  this  monument  to 
perpetuate  their  precious  memories,  in  view  of  a  quickly 
anticipated  demise,  was  a  matter  of  earnest  di.spute. 

A  little  further  on,  at  the  head  of  a  narrow  street,  there 
was  a  crowd  of  people,  pale  faced  and  thin,  a  great  many 
of  them.  They  were  following  a  man,  as  a  phenomenon, 
A  sort  of  curios-  ^^^^  pretended  to  say  that  he  was  cured  of 
"'-'■  disease  at  one  of  the  city  ho.^^pitals  ;  when,   in 

the  opinion  of  his  fellow  sufferers,  he  had  been  frightened 
out  of  his  maladies  by  the  cry  of  "  fire  ;"  and  it  would  not 
be  strange  if  it  were  found  that  the  man  was  a  little  beside 
himself,  or  that  he  was  assuming  to  be  in  better  condition 
than  he  really  was,  that  he  might  avoid  the  careful  charities 
of  those  who  would  be  disposed  to  send  him  back. 

Having  got  clear  of  this  strange  throng  of  men,  they  went 
East  and  South,  turning  from  ono  handsomely  and 
compactly  built  street  into  another,  and  going  in  front  of 
splendid  blocks   of  buildings  used   for   stores,  banks  and 


72  THE    CALIFOHNIA    PILGRIM. 

offices ;  the  history  of  the  erectibn  of  many  of  which  was 
singuhir,  and  the  money  to  pay  for  them  was  gotten,  no  one 
could  tell  how.  Some  of  the  fine  structures  they  examined 
were  such  as  belonged  to  those  rejmted  saints  in  former  days, 
and  some  to  reputed  "  latter  day  saints." 

They  had  but  just  finished  the  survey  of  the  rooms 
and  buildings  where  the  committee  of  seven  hundred  did 
their  last  job  of  human  suspension,  on  the  afternoon  of  a 
certain  Sabbath,  in  the  presence  of  gathered  multitudes,  and 
in  a  manner  not  to  be  talked  of  coolly,  when  Pilgrim  had 
the  rare  fortune  to  accost  another  old  acquaintance  of  his, 
a^  that  personage  was  picking  his  way  delicately  through 
the  sand,  not  far  ft-om  a  fashionable  hotel  highly  colored 
An  old  acquain-  with  crcaui.     The  gentleman  thus  encountered 

tance  in  a   new  n        i 

dress.  was  Very  tall  when  taken  at  the  full  length. 

His  lower  limbs  were  extremely  long  and  spindling, 
but  never  came  straight  at  the  knees.  The  garments  that 
covered  them  appeared  to  have  been  marked  with  chalk 
lines  and  charcoal,  in  huge  squares,  and  they  came  down  to 
gaiters  of  a  very  light  color.  His  waistcoat  was  of  a  bright 
buff  hue,  and  almost  interminable.  His  breast  pin  was  a 
daguerreotype,  set  in  a  huge  rim  of  gold,  of  a  latty  on  horse- 
back. What  little  coat  he  had  on,  in  addition  to  the  collar 
and  sleeves,  was  of  a  sky  blue  tint.  Embroidered  'kerchiefs 
hung  out  of  the  breast  pockets,  and  the  buttons  were  refined 
gilt.  His  thin  hair  fell  down  long,  lank,  and  unctuous 
below  a  huge  white  beaver  with  a  broad  brim,  which  was 
set  on  the  back  projection  of  his  head.  In  front,  the  face 
ran  from  the  roots  of  the  hair,  at  an  angle  of  forty-five 
A  glance  at  his  degrees,  to  the  end  of  the  nose,  where  there 
features.  ^^^g  ^  peculiar  motion  of  that  feature,  and 

thence  it  retreated,  at  the  same  angle  down  to  the  throat. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  73 

The  under  and  rotreatinjr  portion  was  covered  all  the  way, 
more  or  less,  by  a  cultivated  crop  of  hair,  in  the  middle  of 
which  somewhere  it  was  supposed  there  might  be  a  mouth. 
He  wore  pea  green  kid  gloves,  and  in  one  hand  sported  an 
elegant,  but  rather  frail,  walking  stick. 

Recognising  him  at  once  by  the  shape  of  his  face.  Pilgrim 
ventured  to  speak  to  him,  and  to  say,  Is  this  you,  sir  ? 
How  you  are  grown!     How  do  you  do,  sir .' 

New  Man.  What  fellow  has  the  efFrontewy  and  pwe- 
He  opens  his  Sumption  to  addwcss  a  gentleman  in  the  stweet 
solemn  visage,  ^[^^^q^^^  ^  pwoper  iutwoduction  .'  It  is  vewy 
strange,  A'ewy  vulgah,  vewy  indeed. 

PiL.  A  fellow,  if  so  it  please  you,  my  good  sir,  that 
knew  you  when  a  lad,  and  is  happy  to  meet  any  one, 
formerly  known  to  him,  in  this  far  land,  where  persons  from 
the  same  province  seem  almost  like  one's  kindred. 

New  Max.  Well  sah,  you  perceive,  sah,  I  am  some- 
He  shows  that  t^^i°o  exclusive,  sah,  in  me  tastes  and  me 
he  is  e.xciusive.  j^^^i^j^g^  g.^j^ .  ^^^  j  ^^^  j^^^^  therefore,  be  on 

terms,  sah,  with  evewy  wustic  and  upstawt  who  chooses  to 
couwt  me  presence,  sah.  I  have  not  the  honow  to  know 
you,  sah. 

PiL.  Your  speech  has  nonplused  me,  sir.  You  seem 
aristocratic  in  your  breeding.  Is  it  possiWe  that  I  am 
mistaken  .'     Is  not  your  name  Corymandel  Swell  f 

C.  S.  That  is  me  appellation,  sah,  and  I  flattew  meself, 
sah,  it  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  othews  besides  meself.  I 
move  in  the  fust  cercles,  sah,  and  lay  claim  to  all  the 
pwewogatives  of  me  buth  and  me  position. 

PiL.  I  made  no  doubt,  sir,  there  were  first  circles,  and 
families  somewhat  aristocratic  in  San  Fastopolis,  but  I  was 
not  before  aware  that  many  of  them  got  their  pretensions 


74  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

out  of  books  of  genealogies.  Would  it  not  be  well,  sir,  for 
all  to  observe  a  discreet  silence  in  that  matter  ? 

C.  S.  Pewbaps  in  some  cercles  the}'  do,  but  in  our 
cercle  we  requiwe  fwee  genewations  of  high  blood  and  gentle 
bweeding.     We  are  vewy  exclusive,  sah,  vewy. 

PiL.  I  had  previously  supposed,  sir,  that  such  distinc- 
tions were  forgotten  here  ;  and,  that,  leaving  intellect  and 
character  out  of  view,  the  lines  of  social  distinction  were 
drawn  rather  from  a  financial  basis  and  related  to  a  sort  of 
market  value. 

C.  S.     Bless  me!     How  vulgah  ! 

PiL.  Your  remarks  still  perplex  me,  sir,  for  I  was  not 
aware  hitherto  that  your  family  held  rank  with  the  nobility. 
I  remember  that  your  father  was  once  a  client  of  Mr. 
Mr  Swell's  ear-  Freclove  Q-ainc,  my  father.  Was  not  your 
ly  history.  father,  sir,  Mr.  Hardigger  Swell,  who,  in  the 
suburb  of  Shabbytown,  kept  an  entrepot  for  all  the  rag- 
pickers of  Doomsend',  and  purchased  their  commodities  at 
divers  rates  .''  Are  you  not  that  son  of  his  whom  I  used  to 
see  in  cap  and  apron  engaged  iu  assorting  stock  .'  If  you 
are,  sir,  let  us  speak  intelligibly.  It  would  ill  become  me 
to  disparage  any  one  on  account  of  his  descent  who  bore  a 
icood  character,  and  had  pursued  an  honest  calling,  however 
humble  his  occujiation. 

C.  S.  To  you,  sah,  I  may  be  the  same  pusson,  but  not 
the  same,  sah,  to  San  Fastopolis  and  our  cercle,  sah.  I 
must  be  going,  sah.     Mawning,  sah  ! 

PiL.     Your  humble  servant,  Mr.  Swell!     Good  day  ! 

Now  I  saw  that  Pilgrim  hastened  to  overtake  his 
companions,  and  found  them  watching  the  operations  of 
a  steam  paddy,  that,  with  voracious  appetite,  wa3  gorging 
itself  among  the  sand  hills.     He  told  them  of  his  couversa- 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  75 

tiun,  and  explained  to  them  the  rchition  that  had  subsisted 
between  Mr.  Swell  and  himself  in  other  days,  and  said  that 
he  could  not  help  wondering  at  the  singular  affectations  and 
fancies  of  the  man. 

Keep  Faith  in  turn  explained  that  their  city  now  boasted 
a  most  select  circle  of  exquisites,  whose  aristocratic  reserve 
was  based  on  descent  from  great  orators,  old  heroes,  and 
oi  I  heroes,  first  ^^^^  families.  Whether  there  were  many 
oTi'iel'"'ante*c"e'i  ^h^^sc  line  of  birth  was  so  well  settled  and 
'^*^"'*'  clear  as  that  of  3Ir.  Swell,  he  could  not  affirm. 

But  he  was  sure  that  few  people  cared  to  ask  whether  a 
mxn  was  born  in  a  hovel,  a  log  cabin,  or  a  costly  mansion  ; 
and  therefore  it  was  possible  for  one  to  lay  claim  to 
any  parentage  he  pleased,  since  no  one  would  take  the 
trouble  to  examine  his  pretensions.  However,  he  believed 
it  somewhat  difficult  for  a  man,  on  the  score  of  his 
nncestors,  to  pass  himself  off  very  long  for  much  more  than 
liL'  was.  People  in  general  did  not  regard  a  "first  family" 
man's  son  as  superior  to  any  other  man's  son,  unless 
he  truly  was  so  ;  and  no  one  would  lose  caste  by  treating 
tills  circle  with  indifference,  or  avowing  an  humble  birth, 
and  a  life  of  many  struggles  with  want  and  depression.  Ho 
said  the  foppishness  and  pretense  of  the  circle  to  which  l\Ir 
Swell  belonged  were  b3coming  the  laughing  stock  of 
the  whole  city.  They  were  enamored  in  no  slight  degree 
with  Paris  fashions  and  French  habits  ;  and  carried  their 
affection  quite  beyond  the  extent  and  style  of  the  garments 
the}'  wore.  Not  a  few  of  them  would  write  most  loving 
letters  to  the  East  to  sweethearts  or  wives,  while  here  in 
A  heart  of  dou-  *'^^  Wcst  they  Were  known  as  gay  fellows  and 
bie  capacity.  jg^oted  gallants.  And  thus  they  were  able  to 
show    liow    very    large    their   hearts    were,  in   having    the 


76  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


capacity  to  love  two  persons  to  distraction  at  the  same  time, 
one  of  them  near  at  hand,  the  other  far  over  mountain  and 
wave.  In  i-espect  to  the  proper  behavior,  social  position, 
and  faultless  sincerity  of  the  adored  one  far  away  they  were 
often  painfully  solicitous,  and  constantly  on  the  watch  for 
the  least  shadow  of  suspicion,  while  they  seemed  rarely  to 
concern  themselves,  for  a  moment,  about  the  moral 
character  and  social  standing  of  the  admired  one  here.  It 
was  a  gentlemanly  circle  indeed,  and  their  conduct  who 
composed  it  threw  a  becoming  luster  over  their  high 
breeding,  and  guileless  conduct. 

Pilgrim    said    he   had  learned  that  things  began  to  go 
Fashions     in  in  Very  much  the  same  sort  of  way  in  Doomsend 

Vi)g;iie  arc  old  in  i     r.  .  n  •  rm 

Douniscnd.  a  tew   ycars    beiorc    its   destruction,      ihcse 

fashions  were  said  to  have  been  fostered,  if  not  introduced, 
by  means  of  polkas,  waltzes,  masquerades,  private 
theatricals,  curtained  boxes,  and  other  such  mischievous 
contrivances  as  were  a  delight  to  the  voluptuous. 

Now,  by  this  time,  I  saw  that  they  were  come  into 
the  famous  Vale  of  Charms,  which  was  in  truth  a  vale  no 
longer  ;  the  levelers  having  removed  the  hills  that  onc-e 
formed  its  northern  border,  and  left  the  whole  scene 
Happy  Valley,  exposed  to  the  rough  winds  and  the  rude  gaze 
of  the  town.  Here  they  passed  by  long  rows  of  cottages, 
some  of  them  neat,  with  grass  plats  and  flower  beds  in  front, 
huddled  together  in  the  sand  along  very  narrow  streets,  as 
if  there  were  no  room  to  spare  for  a  breathing  place  out  of 
doors,  and  every  man  must  be  content  to  snuff"  sand  on  his 
own  square  rod. 

Emerging  at  length  into  a  more  open  region,  they  came 
presently  in  sight  of  Rev.  Mr.  Good  Will's  house,  standing 
full  up  against  a  huge  sand  bank,  ou  the  southern  border. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  77 


lie  invited  them  to  enter  and  refresh  themselves.  This 
They  regale  ^^^J  ^^^^  •"  ^'^  ^'sc  loth  to  do,  fof  they  werc 
themselves.  vvcary,  and  their  interest  had  also  been  some- 
what awakened  by  outside  coiiipliinents.  So  they  all  Avent 
in  and  rested,  while  Martha,  the  mistress  of  the  house,  and 
her  sister,  set  before  them  food  and  drink,  which  they 
partook  of  with  much  relish  and  good  cheer ;  Keep  Faith 
and  Stauachnian  all  the  while  particularly  admiring  the 
conversation  of  the  ladies,  and  the  propriety  and  grace  of 
their  maimers. 

They  soon  took  leave,  reluctantly,  of  their  entertainers, 
Another ciuircii.  and  went  around  a  hill  to  a  church,  standing 
against  a  sand  bank,  well  built  and  well  looking,  except  that 
the  bell  was  swung  under  the  open  sky,  on  the  deck  of  a 
half  finished  tower,  awaiting  the  day  when  it  might  ring  out 
a  still  more  joyful  note  than  ever  before.  Proceeding  thence 
they  made  their  way  among  hills,  and  shrubs,  and  thickets, 
down  into  the  Vale  of  Pleasure.  This  they  crossed 
without  stopping,  and  mounted  as  quickly  as  they  could  a 
Orphan  .Vsyimn.  steop  hill ;  and  ouly  paused  when  thoy  reached 
a  lone  house  on  the  eminence,  which  had  a  sign  npon  it 
indicating  that  it  was  an  institution  of  benevolence  and 
charity.  They  were  admitted  and  showuj  about  the 
establishnjent  by  the  matrons,  Patieneo  antl  Economy. 
When  they  were  told  what  sum  these  ladies  received  for 
their  earc  and  pains  taking,  and  on  how  little  the  wh  )!e 
w  a8  Bupported,  they  were  quite  amazed,  and  began  to  think 
there  must  be  some  new  economieK  practiced,  and  in  proper 
forms  too,  for  the  wards  of  the  establishment  were  not 
shabbily  dres.ssd,  nor  had  they  the  thin  and  starved  look 
gometimes  so  painful  to  the  visitor  at  similar  places. 

After  they  were  through    with  tlieir  visit,  and  had  paid 


78  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

their  tribute  of  regard  to  this  institution  and  i<  s  managers, 
they  turned  to  look  at  the  scene  below.  There  were  some 
Pleasant  valley,  of  the  lovelicst  spots  found  in  the  vicinity  of 
San  Fastopolis.  There  were  large  enclosures,  surrounded 
by  very  high  and  close  fences,  within  which  were  groves, 
shady  walks,  shrubbery,  vegetables,  fruits,  and  flowers,  and 
much  to  please  the  eye  and  gratify  the  taste.  In  the  midst 
of  these  enclosures  were  secluded  cottages,  looking  from  the 
height  like  homes  of  beauty  and  goodness,  to  some  of  which 
it  was  said  strangers  were  never  admitted ;  tliough  Mr. 
Staunchman,  who  had  traveled  in  the  Levant,  repelled  the 
notion  that  any  of  them  resembled  a  Turkish  harem. 

Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  when  they  had  gone  to  some 
j^nthcr  localities,  and  had  completed  the  tour  of  the  city,  and 
Pilgrim  had  noted  all  matters  that  were  of  interest  to  him, 
as  a  pilgrim,  that  he  set  about  an  immediate  departure  for 
the  rural  districts,  and  the  provincial  towns  ;  such  as  he 
.might  be  able  to  visit. 

So  all  his  friends  went  with  him  to  Signal  Height,  for 
bearings,  distances,  and  directions.  Thence  they  proceeded 
down  by  the  northern  beach  to  the  garrison  road,  and  the 
.'Dipy  part  com-  Vale  of  Fountains.  Here  they  took  affectionate 

]>anv,    and    Pil-  ••11 

g'rit.i'i  sets  out.  leave  of  their  friend,  no  longer  a  stranger,  and 
bade  hira  God  speed.  Keep  Faith,  however,  had  resolved 
to  go  with  Pilgrim,  and  they  wished  him  a  pleasant  journey, 
and  a  profitable  one. 

.  Thus  these  two  went  up  from  the  "^^ile  of  Fountain.s 
together,  and  winding  over  the  hill  lost  sight  of  their  friends. 
They  had  not  proceeded  far  when  they  came  to  the  decaying 
Presidio.  remnants  and  mementoes  of  early  times,  the  old 

barracks  of  the  soldier}',  fast  tumbling  into  ruins.  As  they 
wore  lo(jkiug  about  the  spot,  for  a  few  moments,  much  to 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM,  79 


their  surprise,  they  found  a  man  lying  asleep  on  some 
blankets  in  one  corner.  When  aroused,  he  said  that  his 
name  was  Mark  Stoppes ;  that  he  had  set  out  some  weeks 
Mr.  Stoppes  and  *go  ^n  a  sovt  of  prospectiug  tour  or  pilgrimage, 
hi8  abode.  Ij^j.  coming  to  this  spot,  and  thinking  it  a  pity 

that  so  good  a  place  for  living  should  remain  empty,  and  at 
the  instance  of  some  friends  living  near,  he  had  stopped 
there  to  wait  on  Providence,  and  see  what  might  turn  up. 
It  was  possible  he  might  yet  conclude  it  was  not  the  best 
practicable  thing  for  him  to  go  out  on  a  pilgrimage.  I*ilgrim 
was  about  to  solicit  his  company  and  urge  him  to  go  right  on, 
but  Keep  Faith  whispered  to  him  that  it  would  never  do,  he 
knew  something  of  the  man's  history,  he  would  certainly 
delay  their  journey,  and  it  was  doubtful,  if  doing  their 
utmost,  they  could  ever  get  him  through.  The  best  thing 
to  be  done  for  such  men  was  to  stir  them  up,  and  then  set 
them  a  good  example.  Howbeit,  as  they  went  onward 
Mark  Stoppes  kept  pretty  close  to  them  for  some  time,  and 
The  old  fort.  till  they  came  to  a  road  that  led,  by  many  a 
winding,  up  to  a  famous  old  castle,  built  on  the  summit  of  a 
pile  of  bleak  rocks  hanging  over  the  sea.  At  the  mouth  of 
this  road,  under  some  scrubby  trees,  lounged  two  long  faced, 
lugubrious  looking  men,  who  seemed  engaged  in  lamenta- 
tions over  the  sins  and  miseries  of  the  times  in  general,  and 
of  later  days  and  all  Bustledom,  in  particular.  Mr.  Mark 
Stoppes  introduced  these  persons  as  Mr,  Other  l>avs.  and 
Mr.  Doleful  Dumps. 

When  Pilgrim  asked  them  how  they  did,  what  their 
business  was,  and  why  they  were  found  in  such  a  plight ; 
An  old  business  thcy  Said  they  had  become  the  proprietors,  and 

in  a  new  coun-  _  t.       i  j 

"y-  were  acting  as  keepers  of  the  castle  up  yonder. 

Their   business   was   to   show  it  to  visitors,  get  as  many 


80  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


admirers  of  it  as  possible,  and  obtain  such  aid  as  they  could 
in  hindering  its  decay  and  replenishing  their  pockets.  Their 
plight  could  be  seen  ;  their  business  was  rather  dull ;  and 
their  health  was  pretty  miserable,  "thank  you." 

On  further  inquiry,  the  travelers  were  informed  that  the 
castle  was  called  Castle  Ancient,  and  was  inhabited  till 
recently,  and  had  been  from  time  immemorial,  by  a  giant 
known  through  the  whole  country  as  giant  Old  Times.  A 
The  gold  fever  few  vears  aero  there  was  a  yellow  fever  that 

took   all    to   the    ,  , 

"lines.  broke    out    here    of  a    very  malignant  type, 

which  raged  like  an  epidemic  through  all  this  region. 
It  carried  off  all  the  inhabitants,  but  a  few  that  were  in  other 
ways  sickly  and  feeble,  and  some  lone  women.  About  the 
same  period  it  was  supposed  the  giant  must  have  fallen  into 
The  "iant's  ske-  *    decliuc  ;    and    having  neither    doctor    nor 

^'°""  nurse,  must  finally  have  died  of  neglect  and 

starvation.  At  all  events  his  huge  skeleton  was  found 
by  themselves,  lying  in  one  of  the  eaves  of  the  castle,  and 
might  there  have  remained  uncared  for  and  unknown,  but 
for  their  benevolent  zeal,  and  disinterested  endeavors. 
They  had  resolved  to  make  the  castle,  and  were  now  trying 
A  shrino  for  nil-  ^^  niake  it,  a  shriuc  for  pilgrims,  and  a  place 
'^'^""^'  of  resort  for  the  lovers   of  the  old  and  the 

venerable,  and  the  admirers  of  the  antique  ;  and  they  were 
strongly  in  hope  they  might  gain  a  livelihood  by  the  contri- 
butions of  visitors. 

Mr.  Other  Days  said  he  had  been  an  inhabitant  of 
the  country  for  many  years.  It  was  not  as  it  used  to  be. 
Some  called  the  difference  thn  march  of  improvement ;  he 
called  it  the  progress  of  evil.  Once  the  people  were  all  of 
The  aiiciont  re-  ^"^^  ^^J  ^^  thinking  about  society,  religion, 
"'""'■  and  morals.     The  country  was  large  and  there 


THE    CALIFOHNIA    PILGRIM.  81 


was  room  enough  for  every  body.     There  was  no  dispute 
about  laud  titles,  and  no  troublesome  ''squatters."     The 
farms  were  immense.     There  were  plenty  of  Indians  to  look 
after  the  stock,  and  raise  some  acres  of  wheat  and  barley. 
3Ien  and  woman  had  nothing  else  to  do  than  ride  as  many 
horses  as  they  pleased  and  enjoy  themselves  as  they  liked. 
There  would  be   a  pic-nie  or  a  grand  fandango  somewhere 
every  week  or  two.     After  mass,  Sunday  was  a  fine  day  for 
sport.     Horse  races,  bull  fights,  cock  fights,  card  tables,  and 
aguardiente,  were   always   plenty  and  never  out  of  order. 
The  Missions  were  in  good  condition,  and  were    like  the 
borders  of  Paradise,  open   to    all   who  would  share    their 
bounties,  and  there  were  thousands  of  Indians  to  keep  them 
in  shape.     Keep  Faith  in(pured  of  him  if  it  were  not  true 
that  the  country  had  been  declining,  in  almost  every  respect, 
from  the  time  he  first  came  to  it.      Mr.  Other  Days  was  not 
Decline    admit-  billing  to  aduiit  that  such  was  the  case.     He 
'^'''  would  only  allow  that  the  Missions  had  been  all 

the  while  running  down.  But  he  thouglit  that  fact  might 
be  accomited  for,  by  attributing  their  decline  to  (juarrels 
among  the  grandees  of  the  country,  which  of  them  should 
be  the  greatest.  This  was  not  strange.  Such  an  event 
once  occurred  among  tlie  chosen  disciples  of  the  Lord. 

One  Mr.  Wide  Awake  now  rode  up  to  the  company  on  a 
.spirited  and  fleet  horse,  and  he  reined  in  to  hear  the  conver- 
sation.    He  had  met  Mr.  Other  Pays  before. 

But,  said  Keep  Faith,  how  was  it  with  manufactures, 
arts,  schools,  learning,  and  science  .'  Were  these  in  a 
flourishing  state,  and  were  they  exerting  a  healthful  and 
benign  influence  ou  the  people,  and  tending  all  the  while  to 
elevate  them  ? 

0.  D.     They  were  not  very  many  nor  very  flourishing, 


82  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Primitive  socie-  Sir.     But  tliis  was  a  primitive  people  and  did 

ty    Happy  with- 
out innovations,  not   need  them.       iney  were   happy   without 

them.     Such  thinors  misht  have   done  them  as  much  harm 

as  good. 

K.  F.  That  last  remark  is  a  mere  guess  of  yours.  The 
main  facts  were  as  I  supposed.  Most  of  the  people  lived 
iu  rather  poor  houses  ;  wrought  but  little  ;  ate  tortillas  and 
beef;  rode  races,  and  went  to  fandangos  ;  and,  on  the  whole, 
led  indolent  lives,  and  were  lacking  in  enterprise. 

Mr.  Doleful  Dumps  said  he  should  not  try  to  be  wise 
about  the  state  of  things  under  the  old  reign ;  he  came 
hither  at  the  beginning  of  the  new,  and  the  new  was  bad 
enough  in  all  conscience.  From  what  he  had  read  and 
heard,  he  once  imagined  that  this  must  be  the  picture  land 
of  his  dreams  from  his  boyhood,  and  it  was  thus  invested 
with  almost  every  attraction  and  beauty.  He  came  hither, 
and  brought  a  large  company  of  selected  men  with  him,  and 
Outline    of     a  paid    nearly    all    the    expenses.      They    M'ere 

grand    company 

scheme.  expecting  to  shovel  up  a  few  cart  loads  of  gold 

dust  to  put  in  their  vaults,  and  then  they  were  all  going  to 
settle  down  in  some  fine  valley,  and  flourish  together  iu  one 
community,  with  himself  at  its  head ;  while  every  thing 
would  go  on  smoothly  and  prosperously,  and  the  world  would 
look  on  their  contented  lot  and  rising  greatness  with 
admiration. 

But,  what  would  not  human  beings  do  ?  No  sooner  were 
they  here  than  his  men  nearly  all  deserted  him,  and  went 
this  way  and  that.  He  had  to  get  along  as  he  could,  by 
paying  extra  wages  to  tliose  who  even  consented  to  remain 
at  all.  He  had  been  to  the  mines  and  shoveled  many  a  cart 
A  long  and  doio-  l«ad,  but  it  was  far  enough  from  being  gold. 

st'jry'  Hq  iim^j  traded  larg<'ly  ;  and  then  his  customers 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  83 

ran  off  withmit  pvylri:;  tlieir  debts.  He  had  tried  a  rancho, 
but  the  drouth  pincliod  somo  of  his  crops,  and  the  competi- 
tion brought  tho  price  of  what  produce  he  had  down  to 
nothing,  lie  had  owned  a  steamboat,  and  that  blew  up. 
He  had  shipped  sand  from  (jold  Bhift,-and  that  did  not  pay 
its  freight.  IIo  liad  run  for  office,  and  g)t  beaten.  He  had 
.'!peculate({  in  lands,  and  the  "  squatters"  took  them.  He 
had  bought  water  lots,  and  found  there  were  three  owners 
to  each  whose  titles  antedated  his.  He  had  loaned  money, 
and  lost  it  by  failures,  fires,  and  rascalities  Now  his  stocks 
were  all  run  down  to  a  figure  lower  than  that  at  which  he 
bought  them  up.  In  fact,  there  was  nothing  in  the  country 
which  a  respectable  man  could  turn  his  hand  to  that 
promised  to  reward  his  pains. 

Mr.  Wide  Awake  said  he  thought  a  man  of  perseverance 
and  enterprise,  with  some  grit  in  his  composition,  content 
with  reasonable  gains,  had  still  a  chance  of  golden  success. 

D.  D.  No,  sir !  That's  the  old  story.  I  can  C(jntra- 
dict  it.  The  whole  country  is  a  sham.  It  contradicts 
itself.     You  can  rely  on  nothing. 

W.   A.      On  nothing  but  yourself.      That  ought  to  do. 

I>.  I).  No,  it  won't  do.  The  climate  is  never  right. 
On  climate  s  a-  '-There  are  no  two  places  alike.  It  is  always 
tionJ,  an'd"n"u-  ^o^  '"^^  or  too  cold,  too  wct  or  too  dry,  toO 
''**'*•  antiseptic  or  too  malarious,  too  debilitating  or 

too  bracing.  You  don't  know  what  to  plant  and  sow,  nor 
when  seedtime  is,  nor  wlien  harvest  will  come.  You  don't 
know  what  you  will  raise,  nor  how  to  take  care  of  what  is 
raised,  nor  when  to  sell  what  you  have  got,  nor  if  your  coin 
won't  depreciate  when  you  chance  to  get  any.  The  fires 
will  burn  you  out ;  the  floods  will  drown  you  out ;  the  Indians 
will  steal  you  out ;  the  speculators  will  rob  you  out  and  out  j 


84  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

and  the  State  tax  will  take  all  that  is  left.  Such  a  country 
it  is ! 

W.  A,     You  are  getting  excited,  sir  !     Stop  and  breathe  ! 

D.  D.  And,  besides,  you  can't  really  say  that  city, 
county,  or  state  is  worth  one  straw ;  for  the  office  holders 
set  the  people  at  defiance,  and  manage  all  the  funds  they 
can  get  hold  of  as  they  please  ;  and  they  will  retire  from  _ 
their  posts  when  their  fortunes  are  made,  and  it  shall  please 
them  to  do  so.  If  you  talk  about  turning  them  out,  and 
hint  that  election  is  coming,  they  shake  their  fists  in  your 
face,  and  threaten  to  bankrupt  you,  and  ruin  the  credit  of 
city,  county,  and  state,  if  you  do  not  let  them  alone,  or 
How  offices  are  promise  to  reelect  them.     You  have    to  oifer 

held   and    man-  .  ^  rr 

aged.  them  large  salaries  to  get  tliem  to  take  omce  ; 

and  then  they  whine  to  have  their  salaries  raised  till  you 
give  them  all  sorts  of  extras  and  pickings  ;  and  every  little 
while  you  have  to  appropriate  largely  iu  money  to  buy  them 
off  from  an  abuse  of  trust,  or  other  rascality.  A  pretty 
country  it  is  where  public  men  make  it  their  aim  to  get  a 
private  fortune  out  of  any  office,  and  are  not  thought  sharp 
unless  they  do,  whether  they  attend  to  the  duties  of  their 
stations  or  not ;  that  bjing  este3m3d  a  very  minor 
c-onsideration 

W.  A.  You  are  rather  severe,  my  friend  !  You  must 
have  suffered  at  somebody's  luinds.  Has  any  ono  been 
Weeding  you  .' 

D.  D.  They've  done  nothing  else  for  three  years  ;  the 
whole  posse  of  them  from  the  Governor  down.  They're  all 
blood  suckers. 

K.  F.  Mr.  Dumps,  let  us  change  the  subject  a  little. 
Thcvrh.-in"ethe  I*'  scems  to  mo  that  it  uiust  b2  a  poculiar 
'"  ■'*'^''  satisfaction  to  one  in  your  condition  and  fraiuG 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  85 


of  mind,  to  have  a  Sabbath  come  with  its  quiet  and  its 
serenity,  and  V>  be  aide  to  go  to  churcli,  to  i^abbath  school, 
to  prayer  meeting,  and  to  have  intercourse  \Tith  christiiins, 
in  the  inidst  of  christian  society. 

D.  1).  It  may  be  a  satistUctlon  to  kno\r  tllc're  are  such 
institutions  in  existence  here;  Heaven  knows  there  never 
was  such  need  of  them  any  where  on  the  face  of  the  earth 
before.  Some  may  hke  to  attend  on  these,  sudi  as  they  be, 
but  I  don't  go  to  them  very  often.  They  are  not  the  right 
stamp  for  me.  There  is  a  deal  of  nlodi^rninm  about  them, 
ThD  preaching  '''"'^  ^^^  much  cnthusiafeiu,  and  wild  fire,  and 
does  not  suit.  manology,  and  preaching  every  thing,  and 
naturalism,  and  all  that. 

K.  F.  13 ut  you  would  have  nothing  'unnatural  in 
churches,  would  you  .'  Churches  oilght  to  keep  up  with  the 
tunes,  nnd  preaching  should  be  adapted  to  circumstances. 

J).  D.  I  have  been  brought  ilp  to  think  that  truth  and 
religion  are  always  the  same,  and  I  think  so,  and  I  don't 
The  old  is  bet-  Want  to  hear  new  tangled  preaching,  nor  sec 
^^''  these  new  fashioned  things.     I  believe  in  the 

good  old  ways. 

K.  F.  So  you  should.  You  are  right  in  part.  Abso- 
lute truth  can  not  change.  Religion  in  spirit  and  essence  is 
the  same  always.  But,  in  the  view  of  men,  truth  will 
undergo  many  modifications  ;  and  religion  will  develop  in 
various  forms,  during  ages  of  time.  Abraham  held  to  truth 
and  believed,  in  his  day ;  but  Peter  believed  much  more 
truth  than  did  Abraham,  and  was  a  good  deal  modernized  as 
compared  with  Abraham,  because  he  sat  at  Christ's  feet, 
and  had  his  views  enlarged  and  new  truths  revealed  to  him. 
It  is  possible  that  in  our  day  there  may  be  those  whose  riewa 
of  some  truths  are  clearer  than  were  those  of  Peter. 


3v 


86  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRM--  •  '"•\ 


In  tbe  elucidation  of  principles  and  doctra\9s,  in  the 
manner  of  applying  them,  in  niod.^s  of  illustration  and 
In  what  there  argument,  and  in  many  similar  things,  the 
maybe  progress-  ^hurches  may  and  must  progress  with  the 
advancing  ages.  And  while  truth  can  not  be  altered,  it 
may  be  adapted,  and  our  views  of  it  may  be  very  much 
enlightened  and  improved.  Calvin  was  wiser  than 
Chrysostom.  Bunyan's  Pilgiim,  and  my  friend,  here,  the 
Pilgrim,  are  the  same  in  spirit,  and  bound  to  the  same 
country,  but  they  are  not  in  all  particulars  alike.  That 
were  impossible,  in  such  different  times  and  countries. 

D.  D.  I  have  only  now  got  sight  of  this  Pilgrim.  I 
wish  him  well,  I  am  su'*e.  It  is  a  strange  country  he 
sojourns  in,  I  am  certified.  Speaking  of  ministers,  there 
Dr.  Bookdust.  was  my  old  pastor  Dr.  Bookdust,  as  up  and 
down  a  man  as  ever  walked  an  aisle,  and  sound  as  a  roach, 
he  always  preached  a  regular  doctrinal  sermon  every  Sunday 
forenoon,  and  only  varied  that  by  lectures  on  the  catechism. 
He  was  a  remarkably  sound  preacher.  But  when  did  I  ever 
iiomparisons.  hear  a  doctrinal  sermon,  or  an  exposition  of  the 
catechism  in  this  bad  land  .'  In  fact  nobody  preaches  like 
Dr.  Bookdust,  nor  prays  like  him,  nor  dresses  so  properly, 
nor  looks  so  divinely.  No  choir  sings  like  his  choir,  no 
Sabbath  school  is  so  large,  and  so  interesting  as  his ;  and 
then  every  congregation  here  looks  so  out  of  sorts ;  and 
what  churches  they  have  to  meet  in.  They  are  all  poor 
affairs. 

K.  F.  But,  you  forget,  sir,  what  country  you  are  in, 
and  how  — 

D.  D.  No,  I  don't  !  That  is  just  what  I'm  thinking  of 
all  the  while. 

K.  F.     Well,  you  forget  what  obstacles  and  hindrances 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  87 


there  are  in  the  Way  of  the  ministers  anl  churches  here  ; 
Not  tn  be  rash  in  ^^'^  '^^'^^  considerations  as  surely  ought  to 
censure.  make  you  slow  to  censure  and  condemn  thejn. 

The  evils  of  the  times  and  the  state  of  society  are  such  as  to 
compel  the  clergymen  to  preach  almost  solely,  for  the 
present,  against  public  misdoings  and  social  vices.  And 
hence,  in. part,  arises  the  apparent  neglect  of  that  sort  of 
preaching  you  admire.  Perhaps,  after  all,  these  preachers 
have  some  perceptions  of  things,  and  observe  keenly,  and 
they  may  be  wiser  in  their  choice  of  subjects,  and  in  the 
modes  of  presenting  them,  than  you  imagine. 

D.  D.  But  don't  they  "  secularize"  the  pulpit  by 
preaching  about  Journalism  and  Japan,  Shade  trees  and 
The  pulpit  in  Cemeteries,  Common  Councils  and  Chinese, 
danser.  Lsgislators   and  Public    measurei  .'     I    djn't 

want  to  hear  anything  but  the  pure  gospel. 

K.  F.  Can  the  principles  of  the  gospel  have  too  broud 
an  application  .-  Ought  not  ministers  to  enforce  them  upon 
men  in  every  calling,  and  desire  to  have  them  govein  the 
conduct  in  every  possible  sphere  of  action  }  There  is  nothing 
unfit  to  be  preached  about  which  the  gospel  ought  to  modify, 
though  too  much  prominence  may  be  given  to  matters  of 
small  importance.  This  fear  of  secularizing  the  pulpit  is  an 
Pocuiarizingtho  old  bugbear.     The  Roman   Catholics  thought 

pulpit    in    early  .  ... 

ti'"e.s.  Luther  and  his  compeers  did  it  in  their  day  ; 

and  that  they  secularized  the  Bible,  too,  by  putting  it  into  the 
hands  of  the  common  people.  In  England  the  established 
church  thought  the  Puritans  were  lowering  the  pulpit  and 
degrading  religion.  In  the  time  of  our  Revolution  the 
lories  and  others  thought  the  pulpit  was  secularized  by 
sermons  on  liberty,  equality,  and  human  rights,  and  such 
fiery  eloquence  as  would  inflame  a  congregation  with  zeal 


88  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

for  Congress  and  the  army,  and  set  the  whole  town  on  a 
blaze.  But  the  pulpit  had  survived  all  such  "secularizing," 
and  could  hardly  be  injured  by  any  similar  endeavor  to  apply 
the  gospel  to  the  times,  and  to  men  as  they  ai'e,  in  this  lato 
day.  Men  must  be  preached  to  where  they  are  to  be  found, 
as  well  as  where  they  ought  to  be. 

Pilgrim  said  he  thought  Paul  was  orthodox  and  sound, 
though  he  did  write  and  preach  about  going  to  law,  duties 
to  government,  industry,  thrift,  enterprise,  keeping  house, 
wearing  the  hair  and  dress,  and  taking  meals,  and  making 
PiWrim  closes  t^nts,  and  Sending  newsmen,  and  taking  care 
ihe^discussion.     ^f  ^^^-^.^   ^^^  parchments,  and  other  secular 

affiiirs.  Paul's  method  of  preaching  was  right  at  men; 
while  his  methods  of  approach  differed  widely.  He  thouglit 
if  the  ministers  here  would  do  the  same,  the  doctrines  and 
the  seculars  need  not  give  them  anxiety.  They  would  come 
in  for  their  proper  shares  of  attention,  and  at  proper  times. 
He  believed  men  needed  urging  to  do  right,  just  now,  rather 
than  instruction  in  matters  of  doctrine.  They  were  rather 
perverse  than  ignorant.  He  liked  a  free  use  of  motives 
with  men  so  inclined  to  depart  from  the  ways  of  wisdom. 

Keep  Faith  said  it  was  time  for  them  to  go  forward.  Mr. 
Other  Days,  Mr.  Dumps,  and  Mr.  Stoppes  urged  them  to 
They  decline  gc-  go  up  and  SCO  the  castlc.     But  Pilgrim  said 

ing    up    to    the    ^  i-  /.     , 

castle.  they  would  probabl}"  meet  with  relics  of  the 

past^  and  find  mementoes  of  the  giant  Old  Times,  elsewhere, 
and  SO  they  had  no  need  to  go  up  to  Castle  Ancient  to  see 
his  skeleton. 

Wide  Awake  said,  in  an  undertone,  that  the  toe  nails 
they  sold  up  there  were  rather  too  much  like  the  scales  of 
fishes  ;  and  where  they  got  all  the  bones  he  did  not  know, 
but  he  had  seen  big  whale  ribs  down  the  coast. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  89 


The  fog  was  coming  on  thick.  Keep  Faith  buttoned  his 
coat,  said  good  day,  and  Pilgrim  also,  and  they  turned  down 
a  sandy  path  through  a  scijuestcred  valley,  whose  sides  were 
covered  with  a  growth  of  stinted,  gnarled,  and  crooked 
trees.  As  they  went  they  sang  a  song  of  the  olden  tune, 
but  its  close  was  with  a  refrain  of 

''  The  good,  the  beautiful,  the  true, 
E'er  fresh,  e'er  young,  and  ever  new." 

They  now  came  out  ixpon  an  ill  assorted  collection  of 
\notiicr  relic  of  ^louscs  in  the  vicinity  of  an  old,  tumble  down, 
the  past.  adobe  church,  standing  at  one  corner  of  a  sort 

of  hollow  square  of  low,  adobe  sheds  and  compartments, 
while  at  the  opposite  corner  there  was  a  hotel  kept,  or 
rather,  a  bar  room,  and  not  much  else.  They  inquired  of 
one  standing  near  the  tavern,  who  wore  a  very  small  hat — 
there  were  others  about  that  carried  something  heavy  in 
their  hats — what  place  this  was. 

He  said  it  had  various  names,  but  Sprecquarter  was  the 
right  one  ;  and  this  quarter  was  connected  by  a  plank  road 
A  quarter  much  "^'^^^^  ^an  Fastopolis.  If  any  of  the  city  people 
in  vogue.  wanted   to   have   a   private   knock   down,    a 

Sunday  drunk,  a  spue  out,  a  horse  race,  a  bull  bait,  'a 
general  smash  up,  or  set  to,  of  any  sort,  they  would  come 
out  there  to  avoid  scandal.  It  was  nothing  accounted  of  to 
be  wild  like,  and  caperish,  and  get  blowed  in  Sprecquarter ; 
in  fact  the  b'hoys  made  it  very  respectable ;  but,  if  you 
wei'e'nt  used  to  it,  you  would  be  dumfoundered  to  see 
what  city  gentlemen  and  officers  of  government  could  do,  in 
the  way  of  a  spree,  in  this  quarter. 

Keep  Faith  now  inquired  if  the  field  of  honor  were  out 
here,  where  gentlemen  came  to  settle  their  difficulties  by 


90  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

duels.  Yes,  said  a  by  stander,  the  very  place.  But  late 
they've  come  so  boften  and  made  such  ninnies  bof  then-. 
selves,  they've  run  the  thing  hinto  the  ground  Just  so 
tbey  'ave  in  Hingland.  Sir,  I'm  a  Hinglisbman.  A  snob 
bin  my  country  is  one  who  tries  to  be  lia  haristocrat  and 
can't,  for  want  bof  breeding.  Now  the  Luunun  Times  says 
duelling  is  snobbish  ;  and  what  the  Times  says  the  haris- 
Engiishmen  on  tocracy  say,  and  what  the  nobility  say  his  law 
duelling.  ^Qj.  ninglisb  society  ;  therefore,  sir,  duelling  his 

snobbish  there,  and  I  think  hit  looks  habout  the  same  'ere, 
only  worse. 

At   that   moment   Mr.   Wide  Awake's  horse   was   seen 
ajDpvoaching  at  a  rapid  gait.     He  came  to  a  stand  on  being 
spoken  to  by  the  company.     And  then  they  saw  who  it  was 
that  had  been  crying,  whoa,  whoa  !     It  was   Mr.   Dumps, 
who    had    dropped    the    reins    and    was     clinging    to    the 
pummel  of  the  saddle.     He  had  borrowed  the  horse  in  order 
to  come  on  and  tell  Pilgrim  that  it  was  no  matter  about  his 
not  going   up   to  the  castle,  and   that  he  had  better  not 
A      description  vcnture    furtlicr    than    that   precinct    till    to- 
and  a  warning,     sorrow;   for   beyond,  the  road   was    narrow 
hoviseless,  hilly,  lonely,  long,  mean,  sandy,  and    tiresome, 
and  the  country  bordering  it  was  hard,  gvassless,  treeless, 
comfortless,  and  infested ;  and  so,  pretty  much  of  a  piece 
with  all  the  rest  of  the  country  and  everybocly  in  it.     He 
was  sorry  for  Pilgrim,  but  thought  it  fiiir  to  give  him  this 
warning.     Pilgrim   thanked  him,  but   told   him  he  had  not 
been  so  improvident  as  to  set  out  without  some  chart  of  the 
road  in  his  pocket. 

However,  as  there  was  truth  in  what  Mr.  Dumps  said, 
and  as  it  was  toward  night,  the  travelers  concluded  to  pass 
the    night    in   that    quarter.     After    they  had  gone  about, 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM  91 

talking  with  various  persons  and  seeing  what  they  coulJ, 
they  souglit  a  place  of  rest,  and  were  shown  into  one  of  the 
apartments  in  the  low  range  of  adobes.  Their  blankets 
were  spread  upon  the  floor.  The  room  in  all  its  appoir.t- 
Lowiy  couches,  msnts  was  chccrless  enough.  The  dogs  and 
pigs  rattled  the  door.  Cold  footed  animals  drew  long 
appendages  acro.ss  their  faces.  Vermin,  that  have  an  odor 
of  universality  about  them,  made  their  offense  rank,  and 
smelled,  as  they  quarrelled  about  taking  their  turns.  Others 
of  a  nimbler  sort,  said  to  resemble  the  elephant  in  form, 
played  ''hop,  skip,  and  jump"  over  them,  and  danced 
pirouettes,  stopping  quite  often  for  refreshments.  The 
Xoche  de  do-  wind  wiiistled,  and  the  fog  drove  through 
'"''''°"  whore    the   windows   should   have  been.     So 

tliey  slept  but  little. 

"When  it  was  just  day  light  u  man  witJi  a  snuffy  face,  a 
smutty  gown,  and  a  skull  cap,  came  in,  and  said  he  was 
collecting  bills,  and  they  must  pay  a  dollar  each  for  lodging. 
Keep  Faith  said  it  was  a  round  price  for  so  pointed  an 
experience.  They  had  had  a  doleful  night  without  Mr. 
Dumps,  and  it  was  some  satisfaction  that  no  night  was  so 
long  it  was  not  morning  at  sun  rise. 

MORAL. 

Mr.  Dumps  is  a  type  man.  He  represents  a  certain  class 
among  us.  He  never  had  much  hope  ;  he  has  now  lost  all 
courage.  He  once  thought  to  realize  a  fancy  picture  from 
dream  life.  Failing  in  that,  he  has  become  morose  and 
cynical.  He  has  not  thought  there  might  be  happiness  in 
something  short  of  the  accomplishment  of  his  plans.  He 
has  deemed  his  life  a  failure,  and  his  efforts  useless,  because 
thev  were  not   crowned  witli   immediate  success.     He  has 


'■92 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


forgotten  that  there  Is  design  in  the  discipline  of  Hfe ;  and 
that  Providence  so  orders  it,  that  the  noblest  energies  and 
finest  schemes  often  miscarry  ;  or  rather,  that  they  succeed 
by  failure.  He  has  not  been  willing  to  accept  any  good 
short  of  the  fancied  one.  He  ^^laced  the  whole  good  of 
living  in  the  attainment  of  wealth,  case,  and  comfort ; 
whereas  the  ends  of  life  are  not  thus  compassed.  There  is 
a  joy  in  action,  in  enterprise,  in  aggression,  in  minor 
achievment,  in  subduing  nature,  in  self  conquest,  though 
the  special  object  striven  for  be  not  gained.  Good  may  be 
done,  the  world  blessed  by  our  endeavors,  though  our 
personal  aims  be  not  reached.  Tliough  our  powers  be  unequal 
to  our  purposes,  while  we  exert  them  right  earnestly  we  do  not 
live  and  labor  in  vain. 

It  pains  us  to  see  a  man  of  fine  genius,  noble  talents,  and 
vast  knowledge,  dwelling  secluded  in  some  wooded  vale, 
passing  his  time  in  indolence,  and  letting  his  powers  run  to 
waste,  because  the  rough  atmosphere  of  active  life  chills 
him,  and  the  noise  and  stir  of  the  busy  world  jar  his 
sensibilities,  and  toil  and  strife  irk  him.  He  is  out  of  place. 
The  world  has  need  of  him.  Providence  calls  him.  But 
he  flics  from  cares  and  struggles,  and  shirks  responsibility. 
He  is  faithless  to  his  destiny. 

Be  it  ours  not  to  imitate  him,  even  in  our  little  measure. 
Let  duty  i^erve  tis.  Let  hope  animate  us.  Let  courage 
strengthen  us.  Our  resolute  will  and  our  earnest  endeavor 
will  achieve,  though  we  fall  short  of  our  aim.  A  fancied 
happiness  striven  for,  as  an  end,  we  may  miss  ;  but  as 
incidental  to  our  noble  exertions  and  our  proper  state  of 
mind,  we  may  have  joy  enough.     Heaven  will  approve. 


LECTURE    Y 


Then  I  saw  iu  my  dvcaiu,  that  vcr}'  early  in  the 
nionihig,  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  set  out  on  their 
journey  from  Sprcoquarter,  and  the  Dolorous  Mission, 
toward  divers  places  more  sainted  than  saintly. 

They  passed  along  among  bare  and  lonely  hills,  between^ 
which,  in  sheltered  nooks,  grew  some  stinted  shrubbery. 
A  region  with-  Now  and  then  tlu^re  was  a  spot  in  sight  where 

out  :i   neigliliur-      .    .  ,      i        •     i  i     i  •        • 

hood.  Civilized  man  had  tried  to  make  a  habitation 

and  a  home,  but  in  most  instances  without  much  success,  it 
seemed,  from  the  total  absence  of  any  sign  of  life.  And  as 
Pilgrim  drew  his  cloak  around  his  neck  and  face,  he  thought 
there  miglit  be  some  penetrating  force  of  dissuasion  iu  tho 
i-aw,  chill  winds,  and  dense  fogs,  that  went  by  in  banks  and 
drifts,  now  concealing  the  morning  sun,  and  now  half 
showing  his  pale  and  melancholy  face. 

They  had  gone  some  miles  without  saying  much  to  each 
other,  for  their  teeth  almost  chattered,  and  their  eyes  kept 
them  in  mind  of  the  sleep  they  did  not  have  at  the  Dolorous 
^Mission.  Ijut  now  they  encountered  a  human  being.  Ho 
was  half  reclining  on  the  sunny  side,  when  there  was  any 
A  temporary  ^^^^j  of  the  hill,  under  the  lee  of  three  planks, 
shelter.  j.^|j  ^^^  against  a  pole  on  crotches,  and  open 


94  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

toward  the  road.  He  liad  on  a  huge  l.rown  overcoat,  a 
prey  cap,  and  woolen  mittens.  His  hair  was  grizzly,  and  he 
Lad  been  shaved  some  time  within  the  memory  of  man. 

He  hailed  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith,  but  without  getting 
Puisuitofknow-  ''^•P  liiiiiself,  and  asked  where  they  were  going, 
'®''^^'  if  they  were  not  tired,  and  if  they  did'nt  Avant 

a  chance  of  speculationizing.  They  halted,  and  told  him 
they  were  mere  pilgrims,  and  were  only  anxious  to  get  on  as 
ast  as  tlicir  strength  and  aims  would  allow. 

He  said  he  was'nt  a  stationer  himself,  only  a  temporal. 

This  was  not  his  house,  only  his  look  out.     He  was   lying 

Autoiiioprapiiy  ^^  ^^^'  customei'S.     His  name  was  Fortunatus 

ofMr.  F.  Wait.    ^;\T^[^      jjg  ^j^g  ^   science  man,  eddycated  in 

Smatterboro  Institute,  and  was  made  for  doing  headwork. 
He  never  had  done  anything  else  he  was  so  good  at.  He 
had  always  been  very  poor,  as  inventionists and  science  men 
were,  mostly,  except  in  the  stove  line.  He  had  come  to 
California  to  turn  his  extraordinary  powers  and  attainments 
^nto  that  very  bfiso,  but  very  useful  article,  money.  He 
Scientific  attain-  ""dcrstood  conchology,  goology,  minerology, 
"'""'*•  botanies,  coniicals,  etc,  uncommon  well — also 

smelting,  tractors,  and  divining  rods,  Though  he  said  it, 
there  was'nt  a  seientifieker  man  in  these  parts,  and  he 
persumed  it  would  come  out  so  some  day,  not  fur  oft". 

He  had  been  .stirring  about  the  country  three  years  ;  but 
every  time  he  was  on  the  eve  of  a  fine  fortune,  he  got 
tripped  up,  or  let  through,  by  some  vafecal  undermining  him, 
and  calling  him  a  humbug,  and  getting  up  a  l.uiia  against 
him.  From  one  town,  tliough  he  told  it,  he  cavno  out  with 
An  escort  and  a  somo  ado.  For  a  committee  of  citizens,  and  a 
ree  ticket.  company   he    had    been    experimenting    for, 

waited  on  him,  and  proffered  him  the  honor  of  a  ride.     A 


THE    CALfFOR.VIA    PILGRIM.  95 

krge  escort  took  biui  out  of  the  town,  which  was  rather  a 
pleasant  feature  of  the  aflFair ;  but  the  vehicle  they  rode  him 
on  was  too  long  and  narrow  for  comfort,  with  some  splinters 
about  it,  but  nothing  to  hold  on  by. 

It  was  of  no  conscqucuoc,  however ;  men  liad  been 
martyrated  to  science  bcfor-j,  and  he  could'nt  hope  to  avoid 
wholly  the  common  fate.  It  proved  his  brotherhood  with 
A  member  of  the  ^^^  great  circle  of  the  scientifieks.     But  now, 

circle  of  science,    j^^  g^jj^  jf  j^^    ^.^^^jj  ^^|y    g,^^j    ^    customer,  he 

had  the  sure  thing  on  'em,  and  they  inight  laugh  at  him,  or 
rail  at  him  ;  a  "  pocket  fall  of  rocks"  was  better  than  their 
compliments. 

Keep  Faith,  observing  his  capacious  pockets,  said  they 
were  not  wanting  in  rooks  now,  apparently.  Perhaps, 
however,  they  were  not  tho  right  sort.  He  said,  not  yet ; 
but  he  would  explain  'em.  They  were  speciments  he 
carried  to  show  customers.  He  had  a  house  over  two 
miles  toward  the  coast.  He  lived  there.  He  was  on 
A  cluster    of  somebody's  land  ;  but  that  was  no  matter  now. 

quarries         and  .       ,  .  ,  ,  f       ■ 

mines.  He  was  in  the  mi*lst  ot  a  nest  of  mines.     He 

had  a  stono  quarry,  of  red  sand  stone  ;  a  silver  mine ;  a 
mine  of  lead  ore  ;  and  a  i|uicksilvcr  vein  ;  and,  only  a  little 
way  off,  extensive  coal  beds.  He  had  discovei'cd  them  all 
How  discovered,  witli  the  help  of  pcucli  twigs,  tractors,  and 
divining  rods.  He  had  prospected  them  too.  Of  course,  it 
was  an  object  to  him  to  keep  the  matter  still,  and  watch 
them  close.  He  had  no  doubt  tho  original  fjuntain  of 
quicksilver  was  up  that  way,  and  by  digging  to  it,  it  would 
gush  out  in  a  stream,  needing  only  funnels  and  flasks,  to 
prepare  it  for  market.  And  it  would'nt  surprise  him  if  the 
sandstone  quarry,  traced  far  enough,  turned  into  quartz 
rock,  bearing  gold.     There  never  was  such  a  plaoe  in  tiis 


96  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

For  sale  or  to  world  before.  He  would  sell  out  for  a 
^^''  hundred  thousand  dollars  ;    or  he  would  take 

the  right  kind  of  a  man  into  pavtneiship  with  fifty 
thousand,  and  divide  even  ;  or  he  would  allow  any  body  to 
work  the  mines,  for  a  six  months  term,  on  shares  ;  the 
persons  undertaking  it  to  find  themselves  and  hhn,  and 
allow  him  one  half  the  profits. 

So  he  unloaded  his  pockets,  and  there  were  his  sandstone. 
The  specimens,  his  coal,  his  lead  Ore,  and  his  cinnabar.  Keep 
Faith  said  the  specimens  were  fine,  so  far  as  he  was 
competent  to  judge,  but  he  would  rather  see  just  where 
they  came  from.  Pilgrim  said  they  had  no  use  for 
fortunes,  and  could  not  lose  time  by  going  to  see  any  mines, 
or  hills  of  lucre.  He  had  read  also  of  one  Demas  and  his 
silver  mine,  where  one  Bycnds  and  others,  got  something 
more  than  their  feet  in,  and  he  was  rather  suspicious.  Keep 
Faith  was  of  the  same  mind,  and  as  they  were  quite  rested 
Mr  Wait  a^ain  ^J  ^^'^'^^  time,  they  moved  on,  leaving  Mr. 
in  his  solitude,  pol.t^natus  Wait  waiting  for  a  chance  to 
realize  his  fortune. 

The  country  did  not  interest  them  exceedingly,  nor  did 
they  meet  many  persons  that  seemed  in  talking  mood.  And, 
besides,  nearly  all  they  did  find  were  on  horses  or  mules, 
and  rushed  by  them,  kicking  up  a  great  dust.  Pilgrim 
said  it  was  all  on  a  par  with  the  most  of  this  great  Avorld. 
The  lot  of  such  P^oplc  ou  foot  must  jog  on  as  they  could  ; 
as  go  afoot.  there  were  few  that  would  stop  long  enough 
to  uiquire  of  those  afoot  about  their  health,  and  journey, 
and  prospects  ;  and  fewer  still,  who  would  ever  volunteer  to 
go  on  foot,  and  let  the  wayfarers  ride  awhile.  However, 
they  Avere  sure  to  be  through  in  good  time,  and  they  went 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  97 


iu  mueli  safety,  and  had  their  share  of  good  cheer,  as  they 
trudged  along. 

All  the  afternoon  they  had  been  traveling  where  there 
The  trpps  aions  were  low  trcos  ;  and  those   few   were  low  and 

tlie      road     and  •    ,       i         •         t  •  i  t    • 

their  shapes.  ungainly,  leaning  Last,  With  great  proclivity; 
looking  as  if  they  had  been  backing  into  a  storin  for  the  last 
half  century.  They  had  evidently  been  smoothed  into 
shape,  if  shape  it  were,  by  the  rough  wings  of  all  the 
terrible  wind.-i  that  came  whistling  and  roaring  from  the 
ocean. 

Thoy  arrived  at  length  at  the  old  mission  out  po.st  uf  St. 
One  silting    at  Mattlicw,  where  they  saw  one  sitting  at  the 

the     roceipl     of  -r-,         i         t  i 

custom  receipt  of  custom.     But  he  did  not  resembic 

the  Matthew  of  their  veneration  ;  and  there  were  numbers 
of  bottles  and  decanters  ranged  along  behind  him,  and  he 
received  custom  of  so  many  red  nosed  men,  as  they  judged, 
that  they  suspected  neither  he  nor  they  would  go  with  them 
on  pilgrimage,  if  aslced  ;  nor  make  good  companions  if  they 
should  go,  they  would  get  so  very  dry  in  sight  of  a  public 
hou.'c.     So  they  went  on  without  stopping. 

Coming  now  to  a  region  more  level,  and  a  pleasantcr 
tract  of  country,  they  saw  a  good  sized  house,  not  far  off, 
where  there  were  children  about,  and,  as  it  was  almost 
night,  they  thought  they  might  lodge  there.  As  they  came 
near,  however,  they  found  the  pigs  quartei-ed  in  front  of  the 

A  rather  modern   l^O^^^C.       A    loose    plank    On    blocks     was    tho 

ranchu.  stepping  stouc.     A  womau  with  broom  in  hand 

was  shoo-shooing  the  chickens  out  of  the  house,  and  they 
saw  her  as  she  came  thus  to  the  door.  She  was  not  old, 
but  wrinkled  and  haggard,  with  nose  and  chin  sharp,  and 
not  very  far  asunder,  her  eye  brows  hanging  over,  and  hor 
eyes  restless.     Her  hair,  thin  and  dark,  had  tumbled  from 


98  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

A  matron  and  '^^^  fastenings,  and  hung  down  her  neck  ;  and 
housekeeper.  ^iq^  bluc  calico  gown  had  not  been  made  up  in 
Paris,  nor  recently  been  under  the  flat  iron  ;  and  her  feet 
were  shoeless.  As  the  two  climbed  over  the  lail  fence,  the 
children  gathered  around,  and  opened  all  the  eyes  they  had. 
Tlie  lady  of  the  mansion  met  them  at  the  door.  Keep 
Faith  inquired  for  the  man  of  tho  house.  She  said  he  was 
milking,  but  if  they  wanted  anything,  she  could  settle  the 
matter  with  them.  Pilgrim  said  they  were  foot  travelers 
and  were  in  quest  of  lodgings.  She  said  they  did'nt  keep 
No  lodgings  to  folks,  it  was'ut  always  safe  ;  though  goodness 
''^  '"''*■  knew  she'd  nothing  for  them   to  steal.     She 

had'nt  any  beds  for  them ;  there  was  no  floor  over  head  but 
some  loose  boards  in  one  corner,  and  the  children  slept  on 
them.  There  was'nt  any  bread  in  the  house,  and  Ichabod 
had  kept  putting  off  going  for  flour.  (As  Ichabod  came  in 
with  the  milk,  she  sent  Ichabod  to  build  up  a  fire,  and  put 
on  some  water,  and  wash  some  potatoes.)  She  said  she 
had  been  in  California  bettor  than  a  year,  and  such  a 
country  !  They  called  this  valley  like  Italy.  She  hoped  it 
Distresses  and  ^^'^^-  ^^^^  wjshed  tho  Italians  had  it.  She 
I'^unted  wiTh  wished  sho  was  out  of  it ;  she  never  did  want 
vehemence.  ^^  come  ;  but  lohabod  over  persuaded  her. 
She  would  make  him  tired  of  it ;  she  was  not  going  to  stay 
here.  There  were  no  gardens,  no  orchards,  no  fields,  no 
woods,  no  women,  no  visiting,  and  no  stores.  You  could 
only  stay  in  the  sunshine  and  dirt.  (She  now  sent  Ichabod 
An  obedient  ^'^  ^^^^^  ^V  ^^^^  hiii\s  to  keep  tliem  from  the 
husband,  coyotes,    and    then   to   come    and    wash   the 

children's  faces,  and  try  and  find  something  to  stop  tho  pigs 
from  squealing.)  She  said,  if  they  wanted  to,  they  might 
come  into  the  house,  only  sho  was  just  going  to  sweep ;  it 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  90 


was  sucli  a  cnuntry  a  body  novor  got  through  with  Ler  work. 
She  was  not  goini^  to  like  the  country.  She  was  always 
(leterrained  she  wowhl  not.  She  did'nt  care  for  money,  nor 
anything  else  ;  live  horn  she  would'nt.  It  was  worse  than 
73otany  Jhiy.  She  did'nt  take  a  husband  to  go  to  the  ends 
of  creation  with  him.  She  was  silly  for  ever  coming  with 
him  at  all.  She  did'nt  care  who  knew  it ;  she  could'nt 
keep  it  in,  and  she  would'nt ;  she'd  tell  everybody  she  saw 
Determination  ^^'^'^  ^^^'^-  f^n'iinta  Ncttlcs  was  not  going  to 
"  '  e  wi  I.         ij^.^  ji^  g^j^.jj  ^  country  !     She  was  going  home 

in  the  spring,  and  Mr.  Ichabod  Nettles  could  go,  or  not,  as 
lie  pleased ;  but  she  would  just  like  to  see  him  undertake 
to  stay  when  she  wished  to  start. 

By  this  time  it  was  growing  dark,  but  there  was  a  fine 
full  moon,  and  Keep  Faith  had  already  retreated  into  the 
The  travelers  re-  street;  SO  Pilrrrim  told  Mrs.  Nettles  he  thought 

tire      ftom      the  i  i      •        i  i  i      •        i 

scene.  they  would  give  her  too  much  trouble  if  they 

remained,  and  bade  her  good  night,  just  as  she  was  ordering 
Ichabod  to  get  the  dishes  on  the  table,  and  see  if  the  tea- 
kettle boiled. 

Now  I  saw  in  my  dream  that  the  two  travelers  passed  on 
in  silence  till  they  were  far  from  the  house.  At  length 
auestions  and  l^ilgnm  asked  Keep  Faith  if  he  were  thinking 
RDsivers.  Q^  anything.     He   replied  that  he  was  just 

asking  himself  if  it  were  possible  that  Lofs  wife  was  like 
Mrs.  Nettles ;  and,  if  so,  whether  he  really  lost  much  when 
he  got  to  Zoar  without  her,  Pilgi-ira  said  he  never  thought 
of  trying  to  settle  such  questions.  He  knew  there  many 
sorts  of  people,  and  room  for  them  all,  in  the  world  ;  and 
we  could  choo.sG  our  lot  for  ourselves,  pretty  much,  so  far  as 
Judge  uot.  our  associates  were  concerned.     He  did  not 


100  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

condemn  any  one's  peculiarities  ;  we  all  had  enough  to  spoil 
us  in  the  eyes  of  somebody. 

Providence  had  a  design  in  the  existence  of  all  creatures, 
and  of  every  species ;  though,  occasionally,  it  was  difficult 
for  mortals  to  see  why  these  and  those  animals  lived  at  all. 

They  had  traveled  on  an  hour  or  more,  when  they  saw  a 
A  liKht  on  tiicir  lig'^t  glimmering  through  the  leaves  from 
''^"'"  some  distant  window  ;  for  they  were  now  come 

where  there  were  beautiful  groves  of  live  oaks,  deciduous 
oaks,  beeches,  and  other  trees.  They  approached  it.  As 
they  came  near,  they  found  a  neat,  painted,  cottage  under  a 
spreading  tree.  There  was  a  paling  fence  around  it ;  and 
oven  the  moonlight  showed  some  dahlias,  and  other  flowers, 
growing  in  the  door  yard.  They  knocked,  and  the  door 
was  opened  by  a  hale  looking  man  of  thirty  ;  ruddy  and 
cheerful  faced.  He  asked  them  in.  They  said  they  were 
They  gain  ad-  belated,  aud   wanted   lod2;inQ;s.      Your  faces 

niiltance    to     a  o     o 

cottaye.  and  manners    speak    well   for   you,    said  he. 

Come  in  !  we  will  care  for  you.  So  they  told  him  their 
names,  and  whither  they  were  bound.  He  was  more  glad 
than  before,  and  said  that  he  was  Jonathan  Makebest,  from 
Litchfield  I  [ills.  Aud  then  he  hastened  to  introduce  them 
to  his  wife  Theodosia. 

The  f-.uuily  were  just  through  with  tea;  but  it  was  only 
the  work  of  a  few  minutes  to  put  things  in  order  again. 
nrushes  and  ab-  Meantime,  Mr.  Makebest  had  them  out  of  the 
""*""■  door,  and  shook  their  garments  and   brushed 

away  the  dust,  and  supplied  them  with  water  and  napkins  ; 
and  when  they  came  m,  they  found  the  boot  jack  and 
some  easy  shoes  put  right  in  their  way.  So  they  ate  their 
supper  with  a  keen  relish,  and  a  hearty  good  will,  feeling 
very  much  at  home,  and  delighted  with  the  cheerful  aspect 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  101 

of  everything.  Their  coining  seemed  to  make  neither  ado, 
A  pleasant  ev-  ^^^'  confusion ;  and  they  passed  the  evening 
'^"'"°'  delightfully  togethev.     They  read,  and  prayed, 

and  sang,  and  retired  early  ;  for  the  pilgrims  were  weary. 

They  arose  with  the  sun,  and  were  surprised  to   find  tl>c 

breakfiist  on  the  table,  and  the  smiling  hostess  ready  to 

The  morning  wclcome  them.      It  was  morning  now,   and 

and  the   cottage 

queen.  ■  they  could  sec  her  well,  bhe  was  almost 
queenly  in  her  beauty,  though  her  eyes  were  rather  large. 
Tier  face  was  flushed  with  exercise,  and  her  arms  were  par- 
tially bare.  The  exceeding  neatness  and  taste  shown  in 
her  person  and  dress,  were  but  patterns  of  everything  about 
her  house.  When  their  repast  was  ended,  and  they  had 
offered  their  morning  devotions,  IMr.  Makebest  informed  the 
travelers  that  he  was  going  with  his  team  to  the  Capital 
Pueblo,  and  he  would  be  happy  to  set  them  forward  on 
their  journey,  if  they  could  take  up  with  his  accommoda- 
tions. They  said  they  would  ride  with  him,  and  with  many 
thanks. 

While  the  vehicle  was  preparing,  Pilgrim  returned  to 
inquire  of  Mrs.  Theodosia  if  her  situation  pleased  her.  She 
A  conversation  ^aid,  nouc  better.  8he  was  indeed  far  from 
''^"""-  home    and  kindred  ;  but  we    must   soon  part 

with  our  friends,  even  if  we  lived  by  their  side.  She  was 
deprived  of  many  privileges  ;  but  it  would  not  long  be  so  ; 
and  it  was  surprising  how  easily  we  could  forego  many  of 
them,  when  we  set  out  heartily  to  do  it.  She  had  few  con- 
veniences ;  but  those  would  be  supplied  as  soon  as  they 
were  very  generally  in  demand.  She  had  few  associates, 
but  there  was  so  much  to  do,  the  time  went  rapidly  by. 
She  enjoyed  the  climate  much,  and  she  had  great  hope  of 


102  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Her  speech  is  the  countrv  at  krjre.     It  was  her  duty  to  be 

with  grace  x  ?ea-        .  _ 

soned  with  salt.  With  her  chc  scn  Companion  ;  and  in  duty  was 
happiness,  whether  suffering  or  enjoying.  She  should  deem 
it  extremely  out  of  character,  an  ill  grace,  and  a  selfishness 
iu  her,  to  make  her  preference,  or  her  personal  happiness 
the  turning  point  iu  any  matter.  Mr.  Makebest  thought  it 
best  to  be  here  ;  she  did  not  oppose  ;  she  would  not  in  any 
case.  ]3ut,  happily,  she  felt  no  disposition  to  do  so.  She 
was  content.  She  complained  of  nothing.  She  was  glad  to 
be  here  ;  to  act  nobly  a  woman's  part,  if  she  could  ;  and  do 
A  work  for  wo.  ^ho  work  wliich  all  agreed  her  sex  ought  to  do, 
laan  to    o.  .^^.^j  must  do,   for  the  countjy,  or  it  would   go 

to  ruin.  If  yhc  could  be  true  to  her  household,  agreeable 
in  all  her  social  relations,  and  f  lithfnl  to  her  Christian  vows, 
her  highest  ambition  would  be  fulfilkd.  And  she  knew  that 
thus  her  life  would  pass  happily,  and  be  spent  far  more 
usefully,  than  in  any  other  land ;  and  so  she  was  content. 

Tears  of  admiration  moistened  the  Pilgrim's  eyes,  as  he 
paid  the  noble  woman  he  saw  before  him  a  choice  and  del- 
icate compliment,  and  bade  her  good  morning.  By  this 
They  take  leave  time    they  wcro    ready  to   move.      All  took 

of  the   excellent  .  ^  '' 

Theodosia.  leave  with  the   utmost  grace  and  tenderness  ; 

and  then  proceeded  on  their  way,  at  a  brisk  trot.  They 
could  not  but  admire  the  scenery,  the  bountiful  crops,  and 
the  incipient  farms,  with  all  their  fences,  fixtures,  and 
stock,  as  they  rode  along.  They  got  a  glimpse,  now  and 
then,  into  some  bachelor's  hall,  with  its  bunks,  and  berths, 
and  antediluvian  looking"  blankets,  tin  dishes,  guiltless  of 
scouring,  bottle  candlesticks,  pickle  jars,  unswept  floors , 
and  old  boots ;  and  they  thought  —  what  should  they 
think  of.? 

They  could  not  stop  to  look  in  detail  about  the    pleasant 


THE    CALIFORNIA    riLORIM.  103 


Santa  Clara.  little  Village  of  our  sacred  Lady  Clarissa  ;  nor 
visit  its  fine  old  mission,  with  its  many  fruits,  and  its  school 
for  boys,  kept  by  the  Padre  ;  nor  could  they  examine  the 
new  church,  the  academy,  the  university  with  its  one 
professor,  and  the  fine  liomes  and  spacious  grounds. 

They  hastened  on  toward  the  Capital  Pueblo.  They 
The  Alameda,  entered  thc  fine  alanieda,  as  the  sun  came  up 
to  the  meridian  ;  and  enjoyed  greatly  its  embowering  shades, 
as  the  willows  and  elms  twined  their  bianohes  above,  or 
drooped  tlicm  gracefully  to  the  ground  ;  and  they  blessed  in 
their  hearts,  the  Fathers  who  directed,  and  the  InJians  who 
were  instructed,  to  plant  those  beautiful  rows  of  trees,  from 
the  town  to  the  mission. 

They  now  crossed  a  bridge,  spanning  a  deep  chunu-l,  i:i 
the  bottom  of  wliich  slunk  along  some  muddy  water,  all  that 
the  season  had  left  of  thc  river  (luadaloupe,  and  were  full 
Pueblo  tie  Pan  ^^  ^'o'**'  ^^  ^^^^  ^'"'^^  Capital  of  JJustledoui  ; 
"'''*®'  though  this  Was  not  the  ancient  Capital  of  the 

country,  before  it  was  ]3ustlcdoai.  Mr.  Makebest  said  the 
glory  of  the  place  was  much  departed.  For,  once  on  a 
time,  the  Capital  was  found  to  have  departed  from  the 
Pueblo  between  two  days,  and  to  have  plainly  absconded. 
A  fugitive  capi-  ^^  '*^*^  hccn  huntcd  for,  advertised  for,  sued 
^'-  for,  and  fought  for ;  but  though  it  liad  been 

seen  in  various  places,  and  camped  among  bare  hills,  and 
going  to  the  head  of  river  navigation,  nobody  had  been  able 
to  secure  it ;  and  the  probability  Was,  that  it  would  lead  a 
nomadic  life,  and  stop  where  it  could  get  the  best  pasture, 
and  the  fattest  extras,  for  some  years  to  come. 

Now  I  saw  that  Mr.  Makebest  made  haste  to  introduce 
thc  travelers  to  Mr.  Oldline  Methodics,  and  to  Eev.  Mr. 
Winroc  ;  after  which  he  took  leave  of  his  passengers  with  a 


104  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

hearty  "adieu."  They,  in  return,  were  profuse  in  their 
thanks  for  his  hospitahty,  and  for  his  kindness  in  helping 
tliem  on  their  way  after  so  agreeable  a  sort.  They  desired 
tlieir  compliments  also  to  be  conveyed  to  the  excellent 
Theodosia. 

When  they  had  dined,  Mr.  Methodics  had  them  about 
the  ancient  city  to  behold  its  beauties  of  situation,  adorn- 
Toiir  oftiiePu-  ^^cnt.  Culture,  and  architecture.  They  passed 
®'''°"  by   a   large  adobe  church,  without  tower  or 

steeple,  the  church  of  early  ftimes,  not  yet  deserted,  nor 
put  to  secular  uses,  though  in  external  appearance  it  was  so 
much  like  a  Dutch  barn  in  Pennsylvania.  There  were 
divers  outbuildings  connected  with  it,  but  not  like  wings  ; 
and  there  were  some  small  adobes  in  close  proximity  that 
appeared  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  cold  water,  and  gave 
forth  unmistakable  signs  of  being  kept  as  liquor  shops, 
where  natives  of  the  lower  sort  congregated. 

There  were  two  or  three  other  churches,  also,  which  they 
Churches.  visited,  not   large    in  size,  but  new  and  neat. 

These  had  sprung  up  since  the  new  era  began,  and  in  num- 
ber, seemed  quite  as  many  as  could  get  congregations  to 
fill  them. 

They  passed  by  the  hotels,  of  bulky  proportions,  that,  in 
the  capital  days  of  the  Pueblo,  had  swarmed  with  men 
wearing  blushing  honors,  aspiring  men,  ofiice  seekers,  hack- 
neyed politicians,  and  youthful  geniuses  ;  where  cabals  and 
cliques  had  met  to  scheme,  and  ambitious  plots  had  been 
Cloth  partitions  foi'nied,  and  state  secrets  had  been  whispered, 
let  out  secrets.  ^^^^  great  men  had  been  overheard  planning 
each  others'  overthrow,  and  thin  partitions  had  divided 
envious  rivals,  and  dark  sayings  had  leaked  out  in  mysteri- 
ous ways,  so  that  parties  had  been  mutually  surprised  to 


TlIK    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  lOf 


find  tliair  opponents  in  possession  of  their  plans,  movemaata, 
and  moasurcs. 

They  saw    the  buildings,   too,  whore,  during  a  certain 

session  of  so  august  a  body  as  the  Legislature  of  Bustledom, 

nountics    for  scvcral  Water  lot  schomars  from  San  FastopolLs 

sarh       as     had  ,  .  ^ 

votes  to  ;ive.  kopt  Open  Iiousc  for  the  gratuitous  entertaia- 
lujnt  of  members,  and  feasted,  and  toasted,  and  drenched 
them  for  weeks  together.  The  same  schemers  kept  also 
attorneys  under  pay  upon  the  ground,  with  money  and 
kinds  committed  to  them  at  the  time  ;  whether  so  conveyed 
to  them  to  gratify  the  feelings  of  a  pure  friendship,  or  for 
wages,  or  for  bribjs,  or  for  all,  or  for  none  of  these 
purposes,  committees  of  a  subsequent  Legislature  were 
unable  to  determine.  The  public  arc  aware  that  the 
schemers  were  successful.  Their  measures  were  carried 
through  ])}■  tlie  votes  of  generous  legislators,  who  gave  to 
Sun  Fastopolis  in  general,  and,  as  it  proved,  to  some 
iadividutds  in  particular,  lands  worth  millions  of  money,  that 
else  had  accrued  to  the  benefit  of  the  state  at  large.  To 
suppose  the  feasting  and  the  toasting  had  aught  to  do  with 
the  result,  were  to  cuter  a  region  of  conjecture,  where  so 
violent  a  hypothesis  must  take  its  chance  with  other 
iuiaginal)lc,  but  indeterminate  things. 

Then   they    visited    the    quondam    capitol    building,    a 
Capitol.  quadrangular,  two  storied,  adobe,  with  a  pole 

on  the  top,  where  the  two  earliest  Legislatures  of 
Bustledom  held  their  sessions.  The  first  one  met  under  fair 
auspices,  and  was  opened  in  due  form,  and  with  the  observance 
of  all  customary  proprieties  Each  house  elected  a  chaplain 
of  its  own,  and  provided  for  his  maintenance.  The  second 
one  was  so  pure  in  its  owu  eyes,  or  otherwise  affected,  as  to 
jvfase  to  employ  any  chaplain  at  all ;   and  one  branch  of  it, 


106  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Fear  of  scandal  *^^  ^  Certain  occasion,  when  application  was 
to  religion.  jnade,  refused  to  allow  a  special  religious 
service  to  be  liekl  in  their  hall,  on  the  alleged  ground,  as 
some  said,  that  it  would  be  a  scandal  to  religion  to  come  into 
such  a  hole,  and  that  there  were  animals  before  which  pearls 
should  not  be  cast. 

In  the  lower  hall,  Mr.  Methodics  pointed  out  to  them  the 
place  where  the  honorable  Senator  had  his  scat,  who  used 
A  thousand  of  fi'cqucntly  to  niovc,  that  the  "  Senate  adjourn 
drinks.  ^^  ^  thousand  of  drinks,"  so  often,  in  fact,  that 

that  Legislature  was  now  distinguished  as  "  the  thousand  of 
drinks  Legislature."  He  said  that  person  belonged  to  the 
same,  who  alleged  that  it  was  not  fair  that  any  one  should  be 
allowed  to  drink  liquor  out  of  the  bung,  while  the  rest  took 
it  at  the  tap. 

Mr.  Methodics  said  that  those  Legislatures  were  remarka- 
ble bodies  of  men,  in  more  respects  than  one.  There  was 
Titles  So  honors,  hardly  an  untitled  person  in  them.  There 
were  governors,  judges,  esquires,  doctors,  generals, 
colonels,  captains,  and  majors  ;  but  not  a  lieutenant,  nor 
scarce  a  simple  mister,  among  them  all.  But  he  said  that 
among  the  outsiders,  there  were  a  great  many  who  were  in 
want  of  titles  and  honors,  and  were,  withal,  slightly  troubled 
with  emptiness  of  the  pocket.  So,  in  order  to  accommodate 
such  persons,  and  also  divers  operators  in  stocks,  exchange, 
and  loans,  and  others  of  Tarious  sorts,  lean  and  hungry,  who 
were  tired  of  playing  the  "  honest  miner,"  and  were  anxious 
for  a  chance  at  the  public  crib,  one  of  these  Legislatures  was 
induced  to  enter  upon  the  business  of  prosecuting  Indian  wars. 

These  wars  were  gotten  up  upon  a  method,  devised  by 
Origin  of  giori-  gentlemen  of  enterprise  ;  and  it  was  known  at 
ous  wars.  ^j^g   capital    where    there    would   be   Indian 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  107 

difficulties,  before  any  were  known  to  exist  by  the  pulilic 
generally.  When  the  plan  of  proceeding  had  been  matured 
sufficiently,  a  part  of  those  who  were  in  the  secret  scattered 
themselves  among  the  Indians  in  different  localities.  They 
plied  them  with  liquors,  got  them  iutoxicatod,  and  abused 
them  in  every  way,  in  order  to  rouse  their  passions  and 
sting  them  to  retaliation,  and  get  up  a  general  quarrel 
against  them.  In  this  way  they  got  the  whites  and  Indians 
by  the  ears,  kicked  up  a  muss  in  every  form  imaginable, 
wrote  letters  to  public  men  and  to  newspapers,  everywhere, 
filled  with  accounts  of  murderous  assaults,  and  the  details 
of  horrid  barbarities  committed  by  the  Indians;  and  so 
they  endeavored  to  excite  the  .sympathy  of  the  public. 

They  enlisted  companies  of  volunteers,  placed  themselves 
at  the  head  of  them  ;  obtained  arms  and  provisions  at  high 
prices  from  particular  friends ;  and  marched  up  hill  and 
down,  toward  the  scene  of  hostilities ;  all  of  which  some 
apologies,  a  few  blankets,  and  a  drove  of  horned  cattle, 
would  have  quelled  in  a  day. 

Meantime   the    friends   and    copartners    in  this    martial 

Cool  and  deiibe-  ^'^*^^'T"''^*^j  '^^^  wcro  at  the  Capital,  were 
rate  legislation,  jj^gyj^g  iieavcu  and  earth  to  get  up  an  excite- 
ment and  a  sympathy  among  the  honorables;  pouring  in  the 
petitions  sent  them,  showing  the  appeals  printed  in  the 
papers,  boring  members  where  they  could  find  them,  and 
doing  the  pathetic  in  a  masterly  manner,  till  they  succeeded 
in  log  rolling  war  bills,  and  war  appropriations,  and  war 
loans,  in  plenty,  through  both  branches  of  the  Legi.^lature. 

Now  whole  regiments  were  raised  and  officered  with 
wonderful  celerity ;  and  there  were  departures  from  the 
capital  of  scores,  with    commissions   as    colonels,   majora. 


108  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Officers  and  re-  captains,  adjutants,  quartermasters,  pay- 
giments.  masters,  commissaries,  and  so  on.     When  tbe 

companies  were  arranged  into  regiments,  and  the  march 
was  taken  up,  it  was  found  that  about  two  thirds  of  all  the 
reoiments  were  officers,  of  some  grade,  and  entitled  to 
advanced  wages  ;  and  those  that  were  not  officers  were  none 
of  your  mere  common  soldiers  ;  they  were  the  choice  spirits 
of  the  land,  and  were  high  privates,  at  least,  after  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  liquor  rations. 

Great  were  the  exploits  of  these  avengers  of  wrong,  these 
defenders  of  the  innocent,  these  self  sacrificing  patriots, 
these  iron  men  of  destiny.  Wonderful  to  recount  were 
Victory  &  fame,  their  valorous  achievements.  Prodigious  were 
their  efforts  and  toils,  as  shown  by  the  amounts  of  food  and 
drink  requisite  to  sustain  them.  Numerous  were  the  spoils 
of  their  enemies,  brought  back  by  the  invincible  hosts, 
returning  in  triumph  from  then-  bloody  campaigns.  Lo, 
where  they  hang  in  our  halls  of  state  ;  lo,  where  they  adorn 
the  "  rostra"  of  our  public  men,  and  inspire  the  hearts  of 
orator  and  poet ! 

On  the  examination  of  such  few  returns  and  accounts  as 
Martial  returns,  could  be  got  together,  after  the  money  gave 
out,  and  the  regiments  were  disbanded,  (few  being  willing 
"  to  sacrifice  their  private  business"  after  the  funds  were 
gone,  and  the  supplies  deficient,)  it  was  found  that  the 
discreet  warriors  had  been  careful  not  to  venture  too  high 
up  into  the  hills  for  fear  of  deep  snows,  and  other  obstacles  ; 
tkat  there  were  reported,  on  the  average,  to  a  regiment, 
Indians  killed,  several  scores  ;  squaws  captured,  one  to  a 
company  ;  wounded,  hundreds  ;  burned,  a  dozen  ranchcrias  ; 
seen,  several  deserted  villages  and  oampfires  ;  almost  seen, 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  109 

liundrods  of  lusty  warriors,  full  armed,  perfectly  naked,  and 
fierce  for  fight. 

When  all  was  over,  the  account  with  the  state  stood, 
nearly,  thus : 

A  I.I,  BnsTi.EDOM  Dr. 

To  expense  of  furnishing  Military  Titles  to  citizenia $250,000 

"        "      of  giving  Speculators  Chances  at  the  Treasury  500,000 

Indian  AVar  Expenses $750,000 

All  Bu-stledom  Cr. 

By  conquest  of  One  Square  League  of  Fustian $000,000 

'"•  One  Hundred  Claims  in  the  sphere  of  Military  glory. . ,  000,000 

000,000 

Balance  sheet. 

Balance  due  on  AVars $750,000 

Keep  Faith  said  the  account  was  a  singular  one,  and  the 
balance  rather  large ;  though  it  was  always  difficult  to  give 
renown  and  g^ory  a  fixed  value  in  the  market.  He  also 
inquired  of  Mr.  Methodics  if  he  had  been  in  the  capital  all 
the  time  those  proceedings  were  had.  He  replied  that  he 
had  not  been  absent  a  day,  for  a  long  while.  These  view.'? 
of  the  matter  ho  got  from  his  friends,  in  the  Legislature  and 
Auti.orit.e.s  and  ^^^^  ^f  it ;  and  they  had  recently  received 
disclosures.  confirmation  strong  from  disclosures  made  by 
8ome  of  the  parties  over  their  cups,  and  from  the  revelations 
of  some  who  had  fallen  out  with  each  other  since,  and  had 
gone  to  calling  hard  names,  and  raking  up  charges  out  of 
these  old  transactions. 

Mr,  Methodics  said,  that  it  was  one  of  these  Legislatures 
that  cut  and  carved  the  state  into  counties ;  on  what 
principle  no  one  could  tell ;  for  they  were  of  the  oddest  and 


110  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Counties  and  ^lost  disjointed  sliapcs,  and  the  most  ill 
iheirboundg.  assoi'ted  sizes,  iu  rcspcct  to  area  and  population, 
that  ever  mortals  looked  upon.  The  county  seats  in  some 
of  them  were  fixed  in  the  most  out  of  the  way  places ,  and  in 
some,  at  points,  where  there  was  no  house  at  the  time,  and 
has  never  been  one  since  ;  and  through  others  there  were 
streams  flowing  which  were  declared  nav  igable,  that,  in  the 
dry  season,  would  neither  float  a  skiff  nor  wet  a  dog, 
without  the  addition  of  "  a  thousand  drinks,"  at  least. 

As  it  was  a  fast  country,  they  exalted  numerous  places  to 
the  dignity  of  chartered  cities  ;  some  of  which  were  now 
extinct,  and  sundry  others  had  since  prayed  to  shrink  back 
into  the  position  of  towns  and  villages,  of  modest  pretensions. 

The  fixing  of  the  judicial  districts  involved,  them,  also  in 
much  trouble  ;  for  they  had  some  districts  to  find  peculiar 
men  for ;  and  they  had  very  many  men  for  whom  they 
wished  to  make  districts  of  the  right  sort.  From  their  legal 
Judges  and  dis-  ''osts  thcy  might  even  have  supplied  every 
"''^'''*'  county  and  town  with  men  who  thought  tliem- 

.selves  fit  to  sit  upon  the  Supreme  bench. 

Keep  Faith  inquired  if  no  one  at  that  time  told  the  story 
of  the  two  Italian  judges,  recently  promoted,  that  overtook 
a  priest,  mounted  on  a  fine  horse,  and  undertook  to  (juiz 
him,  by  asking:  How  is  it,  sir,  that  you  do  not  imitate  your 
Lord  and  Master,  who  was  "  meek  and  sitting  upon  an 
a.ss.'"  That  was  my  intention,  said  the  priest,  but  of  late 
so  many  asses  have  been  made  judges,  that  a  poor  priest  can 
not  get  one  for  his  saddle.  Whereupon  tho  judges  took 
leave. 

Mr.  Methodies  said  he  did  not  hoar  any  such  story.  Nor 
did  he  think  that  in  Bustledom  they  had  ever  gone  quite  so  low 
for  judicial  officers,  though,  it  must  be  confessed  that,  in 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  HI 


Scanty  mate-  somo   instances,  judges  had    boon    made    of 
''*''•  timber  :i  "  Icctle  scant." 

It  was  now  almost  sunset,  and  the  chill  air  from  the  bay 
was  coming  over  the  capital.  So  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith 
took  leave  of  Mr.  jMethodics,  thanking  him  for  his  lucid 
explanations,  and  went  to  spend  the  night  with  Rev.  Mr. 
Winroc.  That  gentleman  entertained  them  with  stories  of 
The  evening.  cail)'^  recoUectlons  and  early  life,  with  a  nar- 
rative of  his  voyage  around  the  Cape,  and  with  sketches  of 
the  valley,  its  history,  its  people,  and  it.^  rapid  advancement, 
despite  the  bad  notions  of  law,  education,  and  religion, 
entertained  by  some  of  the  people  who  were  dwelling  there. 

Early  in  the  morning  they  took  leave  of  the  i'araou.s  valley, 
and,  after  a  ride  thither,  breakfasted  at  the  ancient  mission. 
toward  the  North  East.  They  could  not  tarrj''  here  to  see 
and  admire,  and  so  went  their  way.  Immediately  they 
overtook  a  man  driving  a  team  of  oxen,  hitched  to  a  wagon 
rigged  for  hay  ;  his  goad  was  a  stick,  with  a  terrible  lash  on 
it,  about  in  th3  proportion  of  a  boa  constrictor  tied  to  a  bean 
pole.  They  hailed  him,  and  in(][uired  if  he  wa,s  a  settler  in 
the  valley. 

He  kinder  reckoned  he  was.  lie  was  considci-ible  of  a 
.\  man  of  family,  man  himsclf,  as  well  as  his  old  woman  ;  and  he 
had  a  right  smart  chance  of  boys ;  and  all  that  was  growed 
was  six  feet  in  their  stockins. 

Keep  Faith  inquired  the  number  ot  his  sons. 

Settler.  Wall,  thar,  you  have  me,  stranger  ;  you  keep 
the  count,  Thar  used  to  was  half  as  many  as  the  Presidents, 
but  they're  overtook  now.  AVashington  Adams,  .J(^erson 
Madison,  Monroe  Adams,  Jackson  A'an  Buren,  Harrison 
Tyler,  Polk  Dallas,  Taylor  Fillmore,  Cass  Butler.  How 
many's  that .-     K.  F.     Eight ! 


112  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGKIM. 

Set.  Wall,  thar's  nine  then  ;  tliar's  IJuchanan 
Webster. 

A  long  catalogue,  truly,  said  Pilgrim.  Their  education 
must  have  taxed  you  largely,  unless  yon  were  from  a  region 
of  free  schools.  No  doubt  you  are  anxious  for  public  schools 
here. 

Set.  Stranger,  I  was  raised  without  no  schoolin,  so 
was  my  boys,  that's  growcd.  They  can  do  as  well  as  me, 
ajid  that's  well  enough.  I  larncd  to  write  and  cypher, 
evenins,  one  winter,  payin  tew  dollars.  I  can  write  and 
reckon  intrist,  that's  all  thar's  use  on  ;  my  big  boys  can  do 
Schooling  spoils  it  too.  I've  sced  'cadmy  boys.  They  grow 
^**  lazy    like,     and    powerful    weak,    layin    by. 

Schoolin  spiles  'cm.  They  wont  tote  none  arter  it.  My 
boys  is  a  heap  better  'an  them  that's  alius  ben  bookin  and 
siensen,  and  I  'low  I'd  ortcr  know. 

PiL.     But  they  shoidd  not  all  engage  in  one  business. 
Set.     They  can  do  as  they're  a  mind  at  twenty-one. 
PiL.     Eut  then  it  may  be  too  late  to  prepare  for  a  new 
business. 

Set.  That  ain't  my  business,  its  Iheiin,  I'm  through 
with  'em  then. 

PiL.  Then  you  are  not  laboring  to  get  public  schools 
established  in  your  county  : 

Set.  No,  sir.  I  oppose  them  that  is.  They're  a 
nuisance.  I  don't  want  to  pay  for  schoolin  olhor  folks'is 
childern.     Let  'em  do  it  theirselves,  if  they  want  to. 

PiL.  But  there  arc  scores  that  have  none  to  provide  for 
them. 

Set.  They're  misfortunato,  sartin,  but  they'll  grow 
out  ou't. 

PiL.     But  ignorance,  you  know,  is  liable  to  degenerate 


THE    CAM  FORM  A    PILGRIM.  113 

The  risine  hope  '^^^  ^'^^^  ^^^  degradation.  Children  are  tho 
rjf  the  Plate  treasure  and  hope  of  a  state,  and  the  state 
shouhl  educate  them. 

Skt.  I  'low  you  can  talk,  but  I  don't  know  no  such 
a-thing.  Them  that's  got  no  childern  has'nt  no  business 
with  'cm  ;  let  them  that  has  take  care  on  'em.  I  don't 
want  to  see  any  lazy  school  masters,  and  superintenders,  and 
80  on,  eatin  out  everybody,  and  gittin  their  money ;  its  an 
impersition. 

PiL.  But,  sir,  you  need  doctors,  lawyers,  judges?, 
legislators,  governors,  ministers,  and  so  on. 

Set.  Some  on  'em,  p'raps ;  but  let  'em  grow. 
Don't  the  trees  grow  .' 

PiL.  Yes,  sir.  But  the  natural  fruit  is  commonly  very 
Fruit  culture.  small,  knotty,  sour,  and  bitter ;  it  needs 
culture,  sir,  to  make  fine  fruit  even. 

Set.  I  don't  raise  fruits ;  no  use  in  'em.  Wheat 
and  ba.dey,  ingin  and  poik,  is  enough  for  any  man's  family. 

Well,  said  Pilgrim,  perhaps  you  are  too  old  to  learn  ;  but 
I  hope  your  sons  will  take  a  difierent  view  of  the  matter.  I 
presume  you  go  to  church. 

Set.  Never  was  thar.  Never  went  inside  such  an 
institution.  Ben  to  school  house  meetins  some.  Went  to 
camp  meeting  wuast,  jest  to  see  how't  worked.  Don't  care 
nothin  about  'em ;  commonly  go  huntin  Sunday. 

PiL.  Friend,  you  have  been  taking  up  with  the  dryest 
A  bomiiy,  husks  of  this   world,  and  you  arc  making  no 

preparation  for  the  next.  I  can  not  think  you  have  acted  a 
wise  part,  either  for  yourself,  or  your  family.  If  you  wero 
doiag  more  for  tho  world  to  come,  I  am  sure  you  would  do 
better  in  this ;  and  you  never  would  take  such  views  of 
fichools  and  learning,  and  culture,  and  all  that  is  beautiful 


114  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

and  glorious  in  knowledge  and  art,  as  you  have  expressed. 
May  I  not  hope  you  will  reconsider  and  amend  ? 

Set.  Wall,  Ihar,  its  clar  gone ;  you're  a  parson. 
I  go  this  road  ;  you  go  that. 

So  they  parted ;  and  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  kept  on 
over  the  hills,  into  the  wide,  wide,  valley,  across  the  tulares, 
and  came  at  night  into  the  city  of  Sloughport,  on  an  arm  of 
the  St.  Jacob's,  and  were  lodged  in  the  house  of  llev.  Mr. 
Xylon,  in  the  western  suburb. 

MORAL. 

It  would  seem  that  in  tliis  late  age  there  ought  to  be  none 
in  sympathy  with  this  settler  on  the  subject  of  schools  and 
education.  But  we  are  forced  to  the  conviction  that  there 
are  many.  In  our  state  there  are  men  of  influence  and 
character  who  disparage  systematic  education  by  the  public, 
and  oppose  free  common  schools.  There  are  thousands 
who  are  totally  indifferent  to  the  whole  subject.  They  do 
not  wish  to  agitate  it,  nor  to  be  disturbed  by  it.  They 
admit  no  obligation  in  the  matter.  They  listen  to  no 
argument.  They  have  no  disposition  either  to  think  or  to 
act. 

The  framers  of  our  constitution  intended  that  the  state 
should  be  the  munificent  patron  of  schools  of  every  grade. 
They  made  ample  provision  for  a  fund  sufficient  to  maintain 
a  noble  system  of  free  common  schools.  Statutes  on  the 
subject  have  been  framed  by  successive  legislatui-es  of  the 
.state ;  but,  eitljer  through  imperfections  in  the  statutes 
themselves,  or  through  the  inefficiency  of  those  appointed  to 
carry  them  into  effect,  nothing  worthy  of  note  has  hitherto 
been  accomplished.  The  disposal  of  the  lands  set  apart  by 
the  constitution  for  the  maintenance  of  schools  has  already 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  115 

begun.  The  danger  is,  that,  iu  this  way,  they  may  be  lost  to 
the  school  fund,  and  that  the  benefit  of  them  will  in  no  wise 
accrue  to  the  children  of  the  state. 

It  becomes  our  first  duty,  therefore,  to  look  well  to 
the  enactment  of  laws  on  the  subject  of  education,  and 
to  endeavor  to  secure  effiolency  and  good  management  on 
the  part  of  tiiase  M'ho  are  chosen  to  execute  the  laws. 

And  then,  we  are  bound  to  do  our  utmost  in  endeavoring 
to  correct  falso  views  of  the  subject,  and  to  raise  the  tone 
of  public  seutiuuMit  iu  respect  to  it.  It  is  all  false  that 
none  but  parents  and  guardians  have  any  interest  in 
schools  ;  that  the  tinmarried  and  the  childless  sliould  have 
no  voice  in  the  matter.  The  question  of  public  schools 
is,  in  fact,  a  (]uestion  of  civil  liberty,  of  public  safet}',  of 
public  economy,  of  wise  laws,  of  good  order,  and  good 
morals.  And,  in  questions  like  these,  the  welfare  of  every 
one  in  civiliz  ;d  society,  is  deeply  involved  ;  so  that  no  one 
is  exempt  from  an  ol>ligatii>n  to  do  what  he  can  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  system  of  public  schools.  As  a  good 
citizen,  and  a  lover  of  his  kind,  he  ought  to  be  earnest 
and  active  in  the  matter. 

California  in  her  position,  and  with  her  advantages, 
ought  to  have  already  been  foremost  among  the  now  states 
in  her  school  funds,  school  laws,  and  school  advantages. 
If  she  is  not  so  soon,  we,  her  people,  shall  deserve 
to  be  set  down  as  craven  and  faithle.«s.  That  we 
have  provided  so  poorly  for  the  children  that  are 
native  born,  and  for  the  thousands  that  arc  flocking  to 
our  towns  and  cities,  and  into  our  green  and  golden  valleys, 
is  more  than  a  misfortune.  And  it  is  our  shamo  that  what 
we  have  done  for  them,  lias  been  performed  in  so  shiftless, 
and  bungling  a  manner. 


LECTURE    VI 


Now  I  saw  in  my  drccam,  when  the  morn  arose,  purpling 
the  east,  and  shedding  a  rosy  light  on  the  wide  vale,  that 
I'ilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  were  already  abroad,  listening  to 
The  mornin'  ^^*^  ^^'^  birds  that  Still  chattered  in  the  tree 
and  Its  visions,  ^^^g^  surveying  the  ground  about  them,  and 
looking  fcr  their  proper  road  and  direction,  when  they 
should  depart  from  the  city  of  Sloughport.  The  sun  rose 
beautifully,  without  clouds,  over  the  distant  hills,  and  they 
saw  him  commence  his  daily  circuit,  as  he  wheeled  his 
golden  chariot  up  the  azure  vault  of  the  firmament.  This 
sight  Pilgrim  had  not  before  witnessed  in  the  golden  coun- 
try ;  for,  hitherto,  the  fogs  had  been  too  dense  to  give  way 
till  half  the  uK.rning  hours  were  gone,  in  the  region  through 
which  they  were  passing.  It  gave  him  no  sniall  degree  of 
pleasure  to  gaze  on  a  scene  so  inspiring  as  that  of  the  sun 
rising  in  his  majesty,  fresii,  strong,  and  glorious,  as  when  he 
first  rejoiced  to  run  his  race,  and  the  creation  was  young. 

They  had  not  wandered  long  amid  the  upland  oaks,  and 
the  dry  beds  of  narrow  sloughs,  where  grass  and  rushes 
grew  rank,  when  Sammy  Xylon,  the  preacher's  eldest,  with 
a  very  happy  face,  came  to  suuuuon  them  to  prayers  and 
riiiidiiooa.  breakfast ;  and  amused  them  all  the  way  back 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  117 

with  liis  guileless  talk  of  the  fumily,  the  town,  himself,  nnd 
various  things  which  possessed  ;i  world  of  iniportunec  tu 
him. 

When  the  morning  repast  w.is  over,  they  took  leave  of 
the  good  lady  of  the  house,  and  the  little  prattlers,  for 
there  was  a  row  of  them  there,  and  went  out  to  see  the  city. 
They  were  joined,  after  they  had  crossed  a  slough  by  some 
narrow  planks,  by  Mr.  Longtravtil,  who  volunteered  to  show 
them  about  the  town,  while  llev.  Mr.  Xylon  prepared  Ids 
discourses  for  Sunday. 

They  crossed  the  plaza,  through  which  ran  a  slough,  and 
over  it  abridge.  They  looked  at  the  church  of  .Mr.  Xylon, 
Churches.  small  and  neat,  embowered  among   the    trees, 

with  a  slough  in  sight,  at  the  left.  Some  fine  houses  and 
gardens  there  were  in  that  vicinity  also ;  one  or  two  worthy 
of  special  note,  but  Pilgrim  was  too  much  in  haste  to  linger 
by  graveled  walks  and  flower  borders. 

They  found  other  churches  of  different  dimensions,  one 
large  and  beautiful,  but  in  danger  of  going  under  the  ham- 
mer for  debt,  it  was  said,  and  another,  that,  like  many  other 
churches  in  Bustledom,  had  need  to  go  under  the  hammer  for 
repairs.  Mr.  Longtravel  told  them  also  of  places  where  schools 
were  taught,  and  religious  meetings  were  held,  which  it  would 
be  hard  for  strangers  to  find  without  experienced  guides. 

Through  Mexican  quarter,  and  through  French  quarter 
they  passed  without  much  remark,  because  they  thought  it 
very  well  to  observe  a  degree  of  silence  when  they  had  so 
little  that  was  complimentary  to  say. 

There  were  stores  crowded  with  bottles  and  casks  not  wholly 
Mexican  quarter-  filled  from  the  uoarcst  slough,  and  bars,  and 
boxos  for  musicians,  and  benches,  and  floors  covered  with  any 
thing  but  chan  s;  nd,  an  1  swarthy  creature.-?,  ju>t  creeping  out 


lis  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

from  corners  and  holes,  and  from  a  few  hours  of  wretched 
and  confused  sleep.  These  were  smoking  cigaritos,  as  they 
sat  without  chairs,  and  they  disposed  of  their  saliva  with 
unmentionable  caution.  There  were  also  mules  and  pack- 
saddles,  and  other  paraphernalia,  in  strange  juxtapositions  ; 
and  Pilgrim  thought  he  might  be  dreaming,  he  seemed  to 
be  in  so  strange  a  looking  country  ;  but  Mr.  Longtravel 
reassured  him  by  saying,  tjiat  visitii}g  those  quarters  was, 
to  most  persons,  like  skinning  to  eels,  accounted  as  nothing 
when  they  were  used  to  it ;  though  he  thought  he  had  known 
One  man's  train  ™"^^  coming  from  that  quarter  at  dubious 
another's  loss.  }jours,  with  mucu  toaccouut  for,  but  no  money 
to  pay. 

They  now  went  along  the  great  slough,  which  was  deep, 
and  fu'l  of  water.  In  it  were  several  steamers,  and  some 
old  hulks,  and  a  few  small  craft.  It  was  flanked  on  either 
side  with  a  street;  and  on  the  streets  were  rows  of  stores, 
and  a  fair  show  of  business  in  them.  The  people  in  that 
region  had  been  sparing  of  brick,  and  many  of  the  edifices 
hung  out  signals  of  distress,  and  called  for  repairs. 

After  winding  about,  and  turning  several  corners,  they 
came  in  front  of  a  building,  which,  Mr.  Longtravel  told 
them,  was  the  Corinthian  theater.  He  was  unable  to  give 
A   building  for  the  Origin  of  the  name,  though  some  had  im- 

the    "school    of         ,  .  i      •       i    /.  i 

morals."  agined  it  was  derived  from  the  style  of  the 

architecture.  Keep  Faith  said  he  was  not  very  familiar 
with  Grrecian  aiFairs,  but  he  had  heard  of  Corinthian  brass, 
and  Grecian  war  galleys.  Mr.  Longtravel  remarked  that 
the  wars,  in  this  imitation  of  Greece,  had  gone  on  probably 
without  any  galleys  ;  and  as  to  brass  in  connection  with  the 
establishment,  he  could  not  think  where  it  was,  unless  some 
of  the  actors  might  be  brazen  enough  to  afford  it  in  consid- 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  1  lii 


crablc  quantities.  At  all  events,  he  thouiiht  tlic  citizens  of 
the  place  were  not  strictly  Corinthian  in  flieir  tastes,  nor 
much  given  to  the  service  of  this  temple,  witli  the  exception 
of  some  fashionables,  who  had  grown  strangely  rich,  in  late 
years,  and  wore  now  fond  of  talking  of  the  "  beau  nionde," 
and  tho  "  haut  ton,"  and  the  "  upper  circles."  Some  of 
them  perchance  were  such  as,  in  other  days,  and  far  off 
regions,  had  been  too  much  str.aiteiK'd  in  moans,  or  too 
countryfied,  to  patronize  the  drama  and  the  opera,  and  used 
Tirno  S;  change,  to  go  to  the  muscuiu  and  the  negro  concerts. 
But  now  they  were  of  a  higher  sort,  Tlioy  patronized  tlie 
Corintliian.  bepraised  the  tragedies  and  farces,  and  putled 
the  actors,  as  world  renowned  artistes  ;  when,  forsooth,  they 
had  never  been  engao-ed  in  any  bnt  a  sixpenny  affair,  or  in 
a  California  "  temple  of  the  muses,"  made  of  wood,  paste- 
board, paper,  rags,  tinsel,  glue,  and  wliitewash. 

They  liad  now  got  on  some  rods  beyond  the  theater,  when 
A  woman  winiso  Pilrfim    rccognized,    after   some    scrutiny,  a 

face    wus    faiiul-  i        i       l    l  ■      n  i 

1  ar.  person  whom  ho  hatl  Jaiowu  ni  lormer  days. 

She  was  a  gaily  dressed  lady,  whose  finery  made  it  difficult 
for  him  to  fix  her  identity.  She  had  just  taken  leave,  at  the 
gate,  of  some  visitors,  whose  conversation  she  had  been  so 
charmed  with,  that  she  could  not  part  with  them  till  she 
had  followed  them  to  the  street ;  though  Pilgiim  thought 
that  the  lady  visiters,  as  he  saw  thera  a  little  way  off,  were 
somewhat  bloomer  like  in  manners,  dress,  and  gait.  The 
iicrnaine.  lady  at  the  gate  of  the  stylish  house,  was  one 

3ILss.  Wiseacre  ;  and  she  threw  up  both  her  hands,  and 
opened  both  her  grey  eyes,  in  astonishment  and  wonder,  as 
she  got  sight  of  Pilgrim,  saying,  is  it  you,  ]Mr.  Gaine  !  IIow 
did  you  come  here }  He  explained  that  he  was  on  a  pil- 
grimage, and  passing   hastily  through  some  portions  of  the 


120  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

golden  country.  She  insisted  on  bis  coming  in  to  dinner, 
and  inviting  his  companions  also.  She  had  prepared  dinner 
for  her  visitors,  but  they  could  not  remain,  and  so  it  would 
be  no  trouble  to  her. 

Miss.  Wiseacre  introduced  Pilgrim  and  his  companions  to 
Miss.  -Wiseacre's  ^^^'^-  Listener  her  sister,  and  Miss.  Florinthia 
relatives.  Listener,  her  niece.      They  had  recently  come 

from  the  town  of  Fetcheasy  ;  and  gave  Pilgrim  news  ot 
many  old  acquaintances  dwelling  in  that  region,  who  had 
left  one  part  of  the  province  of  Sin  and  Misery,  for  a  more 
distant  one,  after  the  terrible  catastrophe  of  Doomsend.  It 
was  in  the  town  of  Fetcheasy  that  Pilgrim  had  first  seen 
Miss.  Wiseacre,  then  the  girlish  daughter  of  the  man  who 
kept  the  village  tavern,  at  which  he  stopped,  as  he  was  on 
his  way  home  from  the  school  of  Mr.  Wisdom  Branch,  in 
the  town  of  Pk-efuge. 

While  at  dinner,  Pilgrim  ventured  to  inquire  about  her 
situation,  and  if  she  had  come  to  remain  in  the  country, 
Pleased  and  ad-  She  Said  she  was  charmed  with   the   climate ; 

tiiired     in      her  i     ,  ,  i      i        i      i 

prosperity.  and  then  she  was  so  prosperous,  and  she  iiaa 

so  many  advantages,  and  was  so  looked  up  to,  she  should 
never  think  of  going  from  their  lovely  city,  its  delightfnl 
rambles,  its  gorgeous  buildings,  and  its  sublime  prospects. 
Her  circle  of  friends  was  small,  but  so  intelligent  and  re- 
fined! And  she  kept  a  carriage,  and  a  box  at  the  Corinth- 
ian, and  her  house  was  the  resort  of  all  the  notables  in  the 
city  and  state  !  There  was  scarcely  a  stump  speaker  whom 
she  had  not  entertained  ! 

When  she  spoke  of  her  box  at  the  theater,  Pilgrim  askod 
her  if  she  had  not  once  been  a  strict  moralist ;  abjuring  all 
iier fiiri;irrinan  ''^''"^  amusements,  and  vain  shows;  refusing 
luTofiife.  even  to  drink  beer  lest    it  t^lu>uld    intoxicate; 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  121 

shunning  all  dances  and  gay  parties ;  and  never  keeping  late 
hours.  Oh  yes  !  but  that  was  long  ago,  when  she  did'nt 
know  the  world,  and  had  not  been  in  high  life.  In 
IJu.'^tledom,  those  notions  of  things  were  all  given  up  as 
whinisieal.  "  lu  Rome  we  must  'do  as  the  Romans  do," 
said  Mrs.  Listener,  coming  to  the  rescue. 

Do  you  find  that  maxim  in  the  Bible  .'  said  Pilgrim. 
She  could  not  be  sure  it  was  there,  for  it  was  some  years 
since  she  read  the  "  Proverbs"   throuiih.     Pilsrrim  thought 

O  iT  O 

The  maxim  that  was  Very  likely ;  but  he  could  not  admit 
'*  *^'  either  the  truth  or  propriety   of  the  maxim. 

It  was  just  false  enough  to  justify  anything  ungodly  in  the 
customs  of  society,  and  any  crime  among  villains. 

Miss.  Wiseacre  said,  that,  in  her  church,  they  never 
turned  people  out  for  going  to  theaters,  balls,  romps, 
dances,  and  what  not ;  but  in  some  of  the  sects  they  did ; 
but  she  knew  women  enough  in  Bustledoni  who  were  church 
members,  formerly,  among   the   sects,  that   now   thought 

wiiat    Mia-i.  mucli  more  of  ijoiuo;  to  theaters,  parties,  and 

Wisearro  knew  t  .      •  ,  i  v  i 

about  the  sects,  out  on  rides,  and  after  gaieties,  than  they  did 
of  going  to  church,  or  to  evening  meetings,  or  to  teach 
classes  in  Sunday  schools,  or  to  engage  in  ministering  to  the 
poor  and  sick,  or  in  anything,  in  fact,  that  looked  as 
though  they  were  much  attached  to  church,  or  minister, 
or  holy  deeds.  She  believed  this  was  so  common,  that  those 
ladies,  who  were  the  same  here,  in  these  matters,  as  they 
formerly  were,  were  rather  few,  and  ought  to  be  highly 
prized  by  good  people  ;  though,  for  her  part,  she  had  not 
much  expectation  of  being  praised  for  her  piety.  And  she 
was  not  disappointed ;  for  people  would  praise  everything 
but  that. 

PiliXrim  inquired  if  there  was  any  special  rea.son  for  this 
"  9 


122  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

indiiForence  to  religious  things,  and  this  fondness  for  the 
contrary  things,  on  the  part  of  so  many  ladies. 

Oh,  said  Mrs.  Listener,  they  are  released  from  their  old 
Rendering  a  restraints,  they  are  cut  oif  from  old  employ- 
reason,  ments,  they  have  few  female  associates,  they 
resort  to  now  species  of  excitements,  they  arc  very  much 
noticed  and  flattered,  they  are  urged  to  every  kind  of  vain 
indulgence,  they  are  unsettled  and  craving,  and  how  could 
they  refuse  to  go  and  see  the  world  for  once  }  And  so, 
having  gone  once,  and  with  one,  they  could  not  well  refuse 
to  go  when  another  invited  them,  and  so  they  proceeded  with- 
out limit.  But,  Mr.  Pilgrim,  you  can't  blame  us ;  really, 
we  don't  know  what  else  to  do  with  ourselves  in  such 
circumstances. 

And  then,  said  Florinthia,  the  gentlemen  arc  so  rich,  and 
The  younger  ^0  handsomc,  and  have  such  superb  whiskers, 
Listener  speaks.  ^^^  ^^^  ^^.^  ^sked  to  visit  all  kinds  of  shows 
and  concerts  by  such  honorable  men — governors,  generals, 
and  judges — and  they  are  all  so  lively,  so  witty,  so  amusing, 
so  dignified,  so  elegant,  so  gentlemanly,  and  so  gallant ;  and 
they  keep  such  fine  horses,  and  private  boxes,  and  the  plays 
arc  so  beautiful,  the  actors  so  subhme,  the  temple  so 
gorgeous,  and  the  actresses  so  refined  and  modest,  and  so 
agreeable,  we  are  certain  the  people  in  Broadway  and 
Union  Square,  if  they  knew  all,  would  soon  be  quite  envious 
of  us. 

Pilgrim  said  he  could  not  but  be  sorry,  at  the  recital  of 
Pilgrim  at  vari-  such  facts,  and  the  more  so,  because  he  must 
iadies.  beg  leave   to   difi'er  from  his  fair  friends  in 

their  views  of  the  whole  matter.  He  said  he  found  all  the 
people  in  the  land  were  looking  to  the  advent  of  woman,  to 
reclaim  and  regenerate  California ;  but  how  could  she  do  it 


THE    CALIFORNTA    PILGRIM.  123 

wheu  she  Iicrsalf  fell  ia,  at  oace,  with  California  ways  and 
manners,  and  yielded  to  all  sorts  of  eaticomcnts,  and  gave 
coiintenanco  to  some  of  the  very  vices  and  indulgcucos  that 
were  ruining  the  country  ! 

Ho  thought  wjaiau  should  be  nobler  and  purer,  if  not 
mare  strict,  here,  than  elsewhere;  since  she  would  be 
happier  by  it,  and  add  very  much  to  her  moral  power  and 
means  of  usefulness,  every  way.  There  never  was  a  field 
in  which  she  could  do  so  much  good,  if  she  were  disposed 
to  the  doiu^  of  it ;  nor  one  in  which  she  needed  more 
Necessities  of  circumspectiou,  self  restraint,  and  the  pureness 
tiie  times.  j^^^|  grace  of  religion.      For,  where  people  were 

degenerate  and  vicious  themselves,  and  felt  that  they  were 
vile  and  helpless,  they  could  have  no  confidence  in  such  as 
stooped  half  way  to  them  in  questionable  practices,  in  order 
to  gain  their  favor.  And,  then,  wicked  men  were  far  less 
indulgent  than  good '  men,  toward  the  faults  and  foibles  of 
such  as  professed  to  be  christians.  In  fact,  every  false 
step,  mistaken  course,  or  questionable  indulgence,  in  such  a 
country  as  this,  was  more  noticed,  and,  tlierefore,  more 
injurious  than  anywhere  else  ;  and  if  good  people  wished  to 
be  worldly,  gay,  frivolous,  or  gadding  and  self  indulgent,  it 
would  do  far  less  harm  elsewhere  than  here.  And,  he 
added,  that  he  was  happy  to  say,  that  he  had  met  ladies  in 
the  country  who  agreed  with  hiiu  in  this,  and  were  doing 
accordingly. 

Ashe  was  about  leaving,  he  told  Miss.  Wiseacre,  and  the 
others,  that  he  was  sorry  he  could  not  excuse  them  from 
his  censure,  but  he  hoped  they  would  reconsider  the 
matter,  and  take  a  new  course. 

Miss.  Wiseacre  did  wish  he  had  met  the  three  ladies  just 
gone,  who  sometimes  appeared  upon  the  boards ;  it  would 


124  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

mollify  him ;  it  would  give  liim  new  notions  of  things,  as  he 
Three  ladies  and  ^^Sj  perhaps,  imskillcu  in  the  ways  and 
their  names.  pleasures  of  the  higher  classes,  and  the  circles 
of  fashion.  These  ladies  were  the  pleasantest  of  companions, 
and  their  names  were  Mrs.  Syllable,  Mrs.  Breath,  and  Mrs. 
Screech,  and  they  might  be  known  by  the  splendor  of  their 
attire,  their  condescension,  and  easy  and  familiar  address. 

Now  I  saw  that  Keep  Faith  looked  at  his  watch,  and  Mr. 
Longtravel  grew  uneasy.  So  they  got  the  hint  to  Pilgrim, 
Things  to  be  ^^^  ^^®  ^'^^^  ^^  depart ;  thinking  much  of  the 
thought  of.  strange  overturns  in  life,  in   habits,  and  con- 

duct, produced  by  the  entrance  of  many,  of  both  sexes,  into 
the  golden  country  ;  and  all  through  causes  so  insignificant. 

The  travelers  were  now  anxious  to  set  out  on  their  journey. 
So,  Mr.  Longtravel  took  them  by  the  shortest  route  to  the 
north  eastern  suburb.  As  they  were  turning  a  corner,  they 
heard  loud  conversation  ;  and,  looking  round,  they  saw  the 
three  ladies  before  mentioned,  in  debate  with  a  pale  faced 
shopwoman  about  the  price  of  dresses  and  professional 
costume.  When  they  were  come  to  the  border  of  the  plain, 
Things  prospec-  Mr.  Lougtravel  showed  them  the  route  of  a 
*'^®-  great  railway  to  be  built,  told   them  of  a  wire 

suspension  bridge  over  a  slough,  and  of  many  schemes  of 
internal  improvement,  that  were  to  expand  and  enrich  their 
city  for  generations  to  come.  Then  he  told  them  to  keep 
as  much  to  the  left  as  they  could,  without  getting  into  tlie 
Directions.  tulares  ;  as  much  to  the  right  as  they  could 

without  following  any  river  up  stream  ;  to  keep  to  the  bridges 
and  mind  nothing  about  sloughs,  and,  when  they  had  gone 
far  enough,  over  a  country  that  was  neither  green  nor  hilly, 
nor  like  any  other  they  ever  saw,  they  would  reach  the  City 
Sacramento.        of  Embankment,  on  the  marsrin  of  the  river  of 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  12r 


the  Sacred  Oath  ;  a  river  so  named  before  the  advent  of 
such  ungodly  crews  as  made  its  shores  resound  with  oaths 
profane,  while  borne  along  upon  its  tides. 

After  giving  Pilgrina  and  Keep  Faith  a  sot  of  instructions 
so  lucid,  Mr.  Longtravel  took  leave  of  them  affectionately ; 
They  set  out  ^"'■^  ^'''-^J  tli'^nkcd  him  for  his  kindness,  and 
"^''""'  left  Sloughport  behind  the  trees,  as  they  went 

on  their  way,  singing  a  tune  to  revive  their  spirits,  and 
invigorate  their  frames,  whicli  were  flassing  a  little. 

They  had  crossed  one  small  river,  and  found  their  feet 
growing  heavy,  ere  they  came  to  any  other  ;  or  to  any  spot 
that  seemed  to  invito  their  stay  for  the  night.  But,  at 
length,  when  the  sun  had  set,  they  came  suddenly  down  a 
bank  upon  a  dry  channel,  beyond  which  was  a  house,  under 
The  house  they  souic  trccs.  There  Avas  no  barn,  nor  other 
'"""^  ^ '■  outbuilding.     Only  a  corral  and  a  hay  stack 

were  to  be  seen  across  the  way.  In  the  front  room  there 
was  a  board  pea  in  one  corner,  and  some  dirty  bottles  and 
boxes  on  the  shelves  behind  it.  In  another  corner  was  a 
rickety  stove,  that  had  been  kept  standing  in  its  place  over 
the  season.  A  bench  and  two  remnants  of  wooden  chairs 
made  up  the  furniture.  A  bag  of  barley  and  a  water 
backet  occupied  the  corner  nearest  the  bar.  Two  men  they 
saw,  dusty  men,  in  shirts  that  once  wore  red,  with  hair  of 
no  certain  color,  and  no  ascertained  length,  and  beards  to 
match.  One  of  tht'iu  was  taken  in,  as  to  his  nether 
extremities,  by  boots,  which  (loliah  might  have  found 
Interesting  men,  rooni}'  and  cluuiS}'.  Tho  other,  when  moving, 
went  about  on  his  toes,  and  dragged  after  him  iron 
enough  in  his  spurs  to  gain  him  admission  into  any  chain 
gang.     And  both  wore  tiles, 

••  Coutrivecl  a  double  debt  to  p»iy,"' 
Caps  l)y  night,  and  peerless  liats  by  day. 


126  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

They  were  ostensibly  engaged  in  looking  at  the  Landbills 
about  the  room  ;  particularly  the  landlord's  own,  v/hercin 
Making  surerof  ^^^  building,  they  had  entered,  was  gTapliically 
a  name.  dcscribcd,     and    termed    variously,    the    Eo- 

mance  Eancho,  the  Farmer's  Retreat,  the  Miner's  Eest, 
and  the  Traveler's  Home. 

During  the  evening,  when  several  neighbors  gathered  in, 
and  each  man  treated  all  the  rest  twice  round  before  they 
went  away,  the  travelers  thought  there  might  be  an  inkling 
What  the  signs  ^^  propriety  iu  calling  the  place  the  Farmer's 
■night  signify:  j^gtreat.  The  Miner's  Rest  seemed  sig- 
nificant of  the  fact,  at  least,  in  one  instance,  that  the  land- 
lord got  pretty  much  all  the  money  the  poor  miner  had  left. 
As  to  the  "  home"  part  of  the  advertisement,  Keep  Faith 
thought  if  the  house  were  such  to  any  travelers,  it  should  be 
to  weary  pilgrims,  although  the  prospect  was,  that  it  would 
'only  serve  to  set  them  to  thinking  diligently  of  home  as  it 
was,  or  home  as  it  might  be. 

By  and  by,  after  the  tallow  candle,  in  the  tall  bottlo,.had 
been  lighted  at  the  bar,  they  were  called  to  supper,  by  some 
raps  on  the  other  side  of  the  partition.  So  Tthe  man  Avith 
the  boots,  and  the  man  with  the  spurs,  and  '(.Pilgrim  and 
Keep  Faith,  went  to  tea,  through  a  hole  in  the  wall,  hung 

.«!iippor  in  the  ^^''^^'  '^^^^^  ^  blanket,  and,  down  a  long  step,  to 
dining  room.        ^^^^  ^^^^  ^f  ^^^q^]^^^  q.^^^i^      There  was  a  rough 

board  table,  and  rough  benches  were  beside  it.  On  the 
boards  were  beef,  potatoes,  and  hard  bread,  and  plenty  of 
that  savory  vegetable  which  gives  the  Mexican  his  delicious 
odor. 

Great  was  the  su)-prise  of  Pilgrim,  when  a  woman,  from 
the  dark  side  of  some  strips  of  canvass,  came  out  to  wait  on 
the  guests.     She  had  a  ''  power"  of  feet,  and  was   taller 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  127 

than  her  "  old  man,"  and  she  poured  out  tea  that  was 
"  might}-,"  but  not  in  the  same  way  as  venerable  cheese. 
She  had  on  a  cap  of  coarse  cotton  ;  and  the  sliape  of  it  was 
that  peculiar  one,  known  as  '*•  calves  head  ;"  and  her  face 
wore  the  meekness  of  certain  domestic  kine.  When  I'ilgrhn 
inquired  of  her  if  they  were  pioneers  :  she  said  they  allors 
was,  but  they  had  never  lived  in  "  Pike." 

The  supper  was  soon  over.  The  evening  liked  to  have 
been  a  tedious  evening  ;  for  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  had  no 
room  to  retire  to,  and  it  was  in  vain  they  tried  to  get  those 
present  into  any  talk  on  matters,  other  than  those  of  a 
common  place  sort.  Finally,  the  miner,  with  the  spurs, 
got  to  showing  his  specimens.  After  easing  himself  of  belt, 
pistol,  and  knife,  he  produced  a  bag  with  several  pounds  of 
"  oro"  in  it.  Pilgrim  and  Keoj)  Faith  had  never  seen  so 
Specimens   and  I'^ii'^'h  gold,  in  its  uativc  stato,  bcforc.     The 

'"*■  miner  told  them  where  his  claim   was,  in  how 

few  weeks,  he  had  dug  out  of  it  what  thoy  saw,  and  said  he 
was  going  to  Embankment  to  make  a  deposit,  and  then 
return.  But  he  told  them  if  they  would  like  to  buy  his 
claim  for  a  thousand  dollars,  he  would  sell  out,  as  he  was 
"  anxious  to  return  to  the  East."  The  man  with  the  huge 
boots  confirmed  the  story,  on  being  awaked  from  the  nap  ho 
was  takinir  in  the  corner. 

The  vendor  finally  came  down  iu  his  price  to  live  hun- 
dred dollars,  cash  in  hand,  for  the  claim  ;  and  was  very 
Chance  for  a  for-  u'ge"^  in  entreating  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith 
"'"®"  to  take  advantage  of  so  splendid  an  opportunity 

for  realizing  a  fortune  ;  telling  them  it  was  very  rare  that 
new  comers  were  so  favored.  He  said  it  would  not  hinder 
them  a  week  just  to  stop  and  get  a  tliousand  dollars  out, 
and  then  they  could  sell    it  agaui   for  cost.     Dut  Pilgrim 


128  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

replied  that  they  wished  no  claim,  that  they  possessed  no 
money,  and  could  pay  for  nothing  of  the  sort  ;  and  besides 
they  must  go  to  sec  for  themselves  before  purchasing  claims. 
When  the  two  miners  (.')  had  gone  out  to  sleep  in  the 
hay  stack,  for  the  safety  of  their  mule  and  monej^,  the 
Explanation.  landlord  Said,  them  war  two  on  'em,  he'd  saw 
'em  round  sellin  that  ar  claim,  and  showing  that  ar  gold 
ever  sen  he'd  ben  thar,  a  heap  o'  times.  Them  as  buy'd 
the  claim  was  slighteously  bit,  and  got  shet  of  it,  or 
clar'd  out  and  left  it,  mighty  quick  ;  and,  then,  them  same 
liombres  would  go  and  sell  her  agin  ;  twar  a  heap  easier 
getting  money  that  way,  than  diggin  on  it. 

Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  having  slept  on  a  buifalo  skin,  of 
a  small  pattern,  with  the  bag  of  barley  for  a  pillow,  were 
Early  rising.  awakened  early  by  the  abstraction  of  their 
pillow  to  feed  the  mule,  and  concluded  to  travel  on  at  once  ; 
thinking  they  should  lose  but  little  of  anything,  if  they 
broke  no  fast  that  day.  However,  they  came,  in  a  short 
time,  upon  dwellings  and  homes  that  wore  a  more  inviting 
and  cheerful  aspect,  and  were  refreshed  with  food  and  drink. 
They  had  crossed  two  rivers,  and  passed  in  sight  of  a 
brick  mansion  in  process  of  building,  and  over  miles  of  plains 
without  trees,  and  had  paused  at  the  first  belt  of  timber,  to 
rest  beneath  some  verdant  oaks,  when,  on  rising  up  and 
looking  about  them,  from  the  top  of  a  knoll,  they  dis- 
Sutter's  Fort.  covcred,  not  far  away,  the  grey  walls  of  some 
ancient  structure,  which  they  saw  at  once  must  be  the  old 
home  of  the  far  fimed  Swiss-American  pioneer.  They 
hurried  on,  and  soon  found  themselves  in  front  of  the  early 
citadel  of  young  freedom  on  the  Pacific  shore.  They 
lingered  half  mournfully  around  the  falling  battlements,  and 
in  the  spacious  court,  Avhcre  many  a  stirring  and  exciting 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  129 


scene  had  been,  an  1  life  hii  I  bounded  vigorously,  and  all 
hopes  had  spread  their  wings,  and  young  ambitions  were 
nourished  up  to  age. 

They  found  scarce  a  token  of  living  human  presence 
remaining.  Decay  sat  (juecn  in  the  once  proud  castle. 
It  is  faiiin"  into  ^he  massivc  gates  were  broken  and  gone. 
'^"'^^y-  The  roofs  were  breaking  and  falling  through. 

The  few  cannon  and  shells,  the  place  could  ever  boast, 
wore  rusting  beneath  the  tumbling  walls,  harmless  forever. 
There  were  none  to  raise  the  "  flag  of  the  free''  over  the 
fast  coming  ruin,  where  so  long  it  waved  in  triumph,  ere 
the  blight  of  ruin  fell.  J^vcn  the  flag  staff  itself  had  fallen 
at  the  feet  of  all  eon(|uering  Time.  The  weeds  grew 
unsightly  in  the  untrod  courts  and  yards,  and  the  papaver 
blossomed  by  the  wall.  Gono  was  all  mirth,  ceased  the 
sound  of  revelry,  ended  were  all  social  reunions.  Whispered 
loves  were  heard  no  more.  The  cheerful  signs  of  industry 
were  all  withdrawn,  and  the  din  of  business  hushed. 
Moles  and  bats  worked  undisturbed.  The  rats  and  lizards 
A  sound  of  mei-  i''>iged  the  wido  domain  ;  and  everywhere  the 
anchoiy.  tooth  of  time  was  gnawing  relentles.sly.     Well 

]night  the  wiii'ls,  that  swept  througli  the  overhanging  boughs 
of  the  trees,  go  sighing,  for  they  waved  over  departed 
grandeur,  and  waning  glory ;  and  their  increasing  shadows 
symboled  the  growing  decay.  Xo  visitor,  turning  away, 
could  fail  to  think,  how, 

••  The  harp  that  once  in  Tara's  halls  , 
The  soul  of  music  slied, 
Xow  hangs  as  mute  on  Tara's  walls, 
As  if  its  soul  were  fled  !" 

When  they  had  suSicicntly  gratified   their   curiosity,   and 


130  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

impressed  their  hearts,  by  an  examination  of  this  striking 
and  peculiar  monument  of  decay,  on  the  very  border  of  a 
young  and  flourishing  city  ;  they  passed  out  of  the  eastern 
gate.  And  there,  coming  towards  them,  they  saw  dashing 
The  trottiii"  Vehicles,  and  fast  horses  numerous,  besides 
course.  some  whose  spavins  outlasted  their  wind,  and 

whose  riders  and  drivers  seemed  anxious  to  get  them  through, 
as  speedily  as  possible,  to  the  end  of  their  usefulness ; 
especially  the  riders  of  the  amazonian  sort,  whose?  oaths  at 
the  reeking  brutes  were  shocking. 

Mr.  Ribbon  Puller  drew  up  close  beside  thenr  to  let  his 
horses  blow.  He  was  in  a  gig  with  two  horses  "a-tandcm," 
of  which  the  name  of  the  leader  was  Xerxes,  and  that  of 
the  other,  Artaserxes.  ■  Soon  came  along  Mr.  AVillington, 
with  a  fast  animal  and  buggy,  but  all  perfectly  cool. 
A  short  riiio.  Seeing  how  tired  the  travelers  looked,  he  took 
them  in,  to  give  them  a  turn  about  the  plain,  and  help  them 
along.  So  he  took  them  by  the  grounds  and  cottage  of 
"  Enthusiasm  &  Co.,"  nursery  and  seedsmen,  of  ftiir  fame 
and  notoriety  in  the  various  "  cultures."  And  then  he 
drove  them  over  and  around  that  famous  strip  of  upland, 
known  as  the  Ridge,  and  by  other  cognomens  in  the  vulgate^ 
where  their  friend  seemed  not  imfamillar. 

When  he  had  driven  them  the  length  of  it,  and  around  it, 
A  spot  to  bead-  '"^^^  showcd  the  whole  to  them,  in  its  very 
'""■'"^-  picturesqucness,  like  an  island  of  bliss  in  the 

waste  of  life,  he  started  for  the  city.  Rut  soon  he  thought 
of  an  errand  forgotten,  and  was  compelled  to  return.  So  the 
travelers  thanked  him,  and  took  to  their  feet  again. 
Scarce!}^  were  they  on  the  ground,  when  those  nondescripts 
known  as  "  runners,"  sent,  or  voluntary,  attacked  them, 
recommending  the  Increase  City,  the  Regina  City,  the  Tri- 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  131 

mountain,  the  Busy  Dec,  the  various  Sectional  houses,  several 
Atthecityiiniitj.  U.  S.  Hotcls,  and  tliosc  bearing  the  names 
of  birds,  such  as  Phoenix,  Eagle,  Ilawk,  Jim  Crow,  etc. 
They  were  hardly  rid  of  these  annoyances,  with  swallow 
tailed  coats  on,  when  tliey  were  met  by  a  long  visaged, 
cadaverous  faced  man,  knock  kneed,  and  wearing  a  seedy  hat. 
He  got  before  them  both,  and  took  them  by  the  button, 
and,  very  oracularly  and  very  solemnly,  told  them  not  to 
Advice  grati?.  remain  in  the  city  of  Embankment  a  day  ;  but 
to  go  right  on  to  the  capital  of  all  the  grape  streams,  in 
the  very  earliest  stage,  for  which  he  had  tickets,  that  he 
would  sell  them  cheap.  That  was  just  the  place  for  them 
to  invest,  to  speculate,  to  live,  to  be  great  in.  As  for  this 
Embankment,  it  was  the  miserablest  hole  this  side  of 
Tartarus.  Only  hogs  could  thrive  in  it.  The  cholera  was 
absolutely  frightful ;  people  were  rotten  with  small  pox ; 
the  place  was  hot  enough  for  tophet,  and  yet  the  folks  were 
Waxin"  elo-  ^^^  shaking  Avith  ague ;  the  city  wa's  full 
quent.  ^^  gj^l^  ^^^  yermiu ;  every  man  dumped  his 

dirt  cart  in  his  neighbor's  back  yard.  The  water  covered 
the  town  half  the  year,  and  the  dust,  the  other ;  the  houses 
were  mean,  little,  and  rough,  stuck  among  bushes,  or 
on  stumps.  Doctors  and  quacks,  in  hosts,  got  everbody's 
money,  and  the  lawyers  took  his  luggage.  There  was  no 
public  spirit ;  the  merchants  had  no  capital  of  their  own ; 
they  did  nothing  but  pick  at,  and  run  on  each  other ; 
the  gamblers  ruled  the  city,  and  guarded  the  Governor ; 
the  trade  was  falling  off;  the  people  were  dying  off;  and 
He  is  hard  upon  ^hc  towu  would  sink,  and  go  to  nothing,  in 
tiie  city.  jj^gg  ^Ijjjjj  ^^,q  years,  in   spite    of  banks  and 

bulibles,  and  railways,  and  plank  roads,  which  nobody 
would  ever  sec.     It's  doomed,  sirs,  doomed !  ! 


132  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Go,  gentlemen,  to  the  capital  of  the  grape  streams, 
head  of  navigation,  central  city,  near  the  mines,  future 
capital  of  the  state,  railway  emporium,  best  of  society, 
schools,  churches,  ministers,  merchants,  newspapers,  water, 
A  gentle  puff.  and  buildings,  and  destined  to  be  the  greatest 
city  in  Bustledom  ;  no  question  of  it.  ("Gas  !"  "  Enough  !" 
"  Dry  up  ! "  chimed  in  voices  from  the  crowd  near  by  ) 

Well,  said  Pilgrim,  we  are  obliged,  as  much  as  we  can  be, 
for  your  dissertation.  You  said  you  thought  swifie  might 
thrive  even  here,  and,  as  we  are  not  Jews,  and  can  live  on 
pork,  awhile,  we  will  not  go  your  way  yet ;  and,  besides,  if 
we  go,  it  mui^t  be  on  foot,  for  pilgrims  can  not  pay  fares. 
Ah  !  then,  said  he,  of  the  capital  of  the  grape  streams,  you 
can  stop  as  long  as  it  suits  you ;  people  that  patronize  our 
line  are  the  people  to  live  there,  and  to  thrive.  We  don't 
know  anything  about  any  other  people,  or  any  other  towns, 
than  such  as  come  to  us,  and  bring  their  money,  their 
mon*ey,  sirs. 

As  they  went  on  by  the  hay  yards,  stables,  wagon  stands, 
stacks,  and  barns,  thoy  began  to  think  it  was  a  queer  city, 
and  that  the  worthy  mayor  must  have  many  constituents. 
Horses  &  mules  that  wcrc  uot  bipeds,  nor  wanting  in  cars ; 
aro  numerous,      ^j^^^.^    ^^^.^    ^^    ^^^^^^    habitations    fitted    up 

expressly  for  such.  There  seemed  to  be,  in  truth,  quite  a 
strife  among  the  rival  establishments,  to  see  which  could 
keep  the  most  animals  on  the  smallest  space,  for  the  longest 
period,  without  taking  any  litter  away. 

Just  then,  Keep  Faith  met  an  old  acquaintance,  wlio  had 
weathered  Cape  Horn  with  him.  He  introduced  him  to 
Pilgrim  as  Dr.  Moncymako,  a  native  of  the  town  of  Gone- 
sinners,  a  hard  district,  lying  between  the  provinces  of 
Delusion  and  Awaydown,  in  the  state  of  Nature. 


THE    CALIFonXIA    I'lLcJRlM.  133 

Pilgrim  inquired  of  Pr.  3Ionoynmke,  if  he  could  direct  a 
couple  of  weary  travelers  to  some  quiet  resting  place. 
Temperance  iio-  Temperance  House,  Keep  Faith  suggested. 
'*'■'''•  The  Doctor  saiii  he  scarcely  knew  of  such  a 

house  ;  though  there  the  Fountain  House  was,  and  they 
could  see  it  for  themselves.  Its  fountain  did  not  seem  to  l>e 
copious  enougli  to  flow  over  and  sprinkle  the  earth,  for  the 
dust  was  plenty  all  about  it.  However,  Koop  Faith  wont 
in  ;  but  tl^ey  had  a  rush  of  company,  and  could  give  them 
only  beds  on  the  floor.  80  they  kept  on.  Dr.  Moneymako 
saying  there  was  a  hotel,  opposite  one  of  the  churches, 
where  they  had  no  bar  in  sight ;  and  if  they  kept  one  at  all, 
he  did  not  know  why  they  should  try  to  hiile  it  in  such  a  city. 

They  camo  now  to  an  opon  square,  au'l  som?  ]\;iy  scales  ; 
and  Keep  Faith  hoard  a  stranger  say  it  miglit  lie  known 
how  heavy  the  city  was,  as  it  was  half  hay  stacks,  apparently, 
A  public  square,  and  the  stacks  might  be  weighed.  There  was 
a  very  tall  pole  of  Liberty  in  the  center  of  the  square,  with 
a  good  cap  on ;  and  from  its  top  waved  a  starry  banner. 
The  whole  surface  of  the  square  was  bare  of  gra^s,  trodden, 
and  sandy.  The  air,  just  above  it,  was  loaded  with  dust ; 
and,  higher  up,  dust  went  floating  on  the  wings  of  xephyrs  ; 
hiiiher  still,  even  above  the  top  of  the  Liberty  cap,  or 
whatever  it  might  be,  there  were  those  who  could  discern 
r.   .,  .1.    hunfc  castles  in  the  air,  and  visions  nume'rous. 

air  and  visions.  Q^g  vision  was  thought  to  be  that  of  a 
Common  Council,  digging  among  the  slanting  sunbeams  to 
make  a  fence  ;  another  Council  seemed  to  be  setting  out 
shade  trees,  that  fluttered  leaves  of  silver  and  gold.  And 
still  a  third  vision,  was  that  of  a  Council,  busy  in  erecting  a 
beautiful  structure  of  granite,  free  stone,  and  marble,  for 
the  home  of  the  city,  and  the  use  of  the  whole  community. 


134  :  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

How  refreshing  the  sight !  how  splendid  the  prospect !  said 
one  and  another  that  had  eyes  to  see.  One  venerable  man, 
with  grey  hair,  sighed  out :  When  shall  the  time  arrive  ; 
and  for  how  long  shall  the  visions  be  ?  Case  of  "  Quicn 
sabe,"  said  Dr.  Moneymake. 

Beginning  at  the  Noyes  House,  Pilgrim  now  under- 
took to  read  the  signs. and  reckon  over  the  hotels  in  sight. 
There  was  the  Washington,  the  Lafayette,  the  Kosciusko, 
the  Kossuth,  the  Wm.  Tell,  and  the  Bruin.  Dr.  Money- 
make  said  it  was  proposed  to  run  the  row  down  into  the 
New  celebrities-  corner,  by  putting  up  the  Barnum,  the  Louis 
Napoleon,  the  Flibustier,  and  the  Uncle  Tom  ;  but  the 
money  was  not  yet  in  hand. 

Now  I  saw  that  they  passed  out  of  the  plaza,  and  wont 
along  till  they  came  to  some  trees,  withering  and  half  dead. 
Bad  rum.  These  trees  have  been  nearly  killed  ;  said  the 

Doctor,  and,  very  likely,  by  too  much  bad  rum,  put  around 
the  roots.  In  this  connection,  said  Keep  Faith,  allow  mo 
to  inquire  how  you  get  oh  in  the  Temperance  cause  r 

Dr.  Well,  really,  I'm  not  in  the  way  of  getting  infor- 
mation at  present,  but  I  hear  nothing. 

K.  F.  But,  sif,  were  you  not  once  W.  P.  in  the  S.  of 
T.,  and  great  Grand  Pa,  or  what  it  may  be,  in  various 
other  societies  ;  and  where  are  you  now  .'' 

Dr.*  To  be  plain,  sir,  I  took  my  card  from  the  Division, 
The  temperance  came  out  iu  good  standing,  and  then  went  into 

cause     and     its  i       i  i  t 

friends.  the  general  trade,  and  sold  liquor.     And  then 

I  am  copartner  in  an  establishment  further  down  street.  It 
is  a  restaurant ;  and  the  sort  of  folks  that  way  know  scarce 
any  other  meaning  of  the  word,  than  the  one  indicated  by  hot 
brandy,  and  iced  punch. 

K.  F.     But  what  becomes  of  your  consistency.' 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  13.3 

Dr.     "Well,  sir,  I'm  sure,  I  don't  know. 

K.  F.  And  your  Temperance  principles,  too ;  if  they 
were  right,  you  are  now  doing  wrong. 

Dr.     Yes,  only  "  circumstances  alter  cases." 

K.  F.  Yes,  but  we  were  talking  of  principles.  Do  you, 
or  do  you  not,  give  up  your  old  principles  and  views ;  and 
how  is  it  that  you  get  along  ? 

Dr.  Why,  we're  here  to  make  money.  Somebody  must 
make  something  in  trade.  I  could  not  make  so  much 
without  liijuor.  If  I  did'nt  sell,  some  one  would.  I  might 
as  well  have  the  money  as  he ;  and  so  I  do  the.  business. 
That's  the  whole  of  it. 

K.  F.  I  am  not  sure  it  is  the  whole  of  it,  taken  in 
another  light,  and  so  far  as  it  respects  yonr  feelings,  and 
principles,  and  your  influence  in  the  world,  and  your 
standing  among  the  truly  virtuous  in  society. 

Pr'aps  you'll  'form  and  play  Washiutonian  by'n  by,  when 
A    proniisin;  you're  rich   'nuff,  said  a  maudlin  faced  man, 

candidate  lor  re-    ,,,.,, 

form.  holding  by  the  post,  just   behind   them.     So 

sh'll  I ;  I'm  your  man.     Don't  we  go  in  for  a  rich  'spcrence 
to,  to,  t-tell  'em. 

The  Doctor  shied  away  from  his  new  friend,  and  seemed 
in  a  hurry  to  get  out  of  his  reach.  So  he  told  Pilgrim  and 
Keep  Faith  to  go  two  blocks  farther,  and  turn  to  the  right 
into  a  street,  and  thence  into  an  alley  at  the  left,  and  ia  the 
rear  of  a  church,  there  was  a  man  who  had  to  do  with 
pilgrims ;  and  he  might  be  able  to  care  for  them.  They 
followed  directions,  and  were  soon  housed  and  lodged.  And 
they  were  locked  in  the  arms  of  sleep,  long  before  the  host 
was  done  with  his  notes,  and  had  written  up  his  journal. 


136  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


MOPvAL. 

The  wheels  of  time  seem  to  go  backward.  On  questions 
of  practical  morals  our  motion  is  retrograde.  Like  Dr. 
Moneymake,  we  are  not  where  we  were.  Nine  tenths  of 
our  population,  male  and  female,  sif>,  drink,  or  guzzle.-  The 
learned  and  the  stolid,  old  men  and  mere  boys,  the  rich 
men,  the  penniless,  and  even  the  prisoners,  all  drink,  drink, 
from  morning  till  night,,  and  from  niglit  till  morning.  Such 
quantities  of  fluid,  taken  daily  into  the  system,  were  it 
nouo;ht  but  milk  and  water,  would  destroy  the  constitution 
in  a  few  years ;  how  much  sooner,  then,  when  that  fluid 
consists  of  the  vilest  liquors  tliat  ever  inflamed  a  man's 
throat,  or  rotted  his  intestines  ! 

It  is  alleged,  indeed,  that  men  need  more  stimulus,  and 
will  endure  it  better,  in  our  climate,  than  elsewhere,  and 
that  to  drink  is  not  pernicious  here.  So  it  has  seemed. 
Yet  it  has  been  only  seeming.  In  no  country  is  drunken- 
ness so  deadly,  and  so  rapid  in  its  destruction  as  here.  We 
see  few  habitual  drunkards,  because  they  plunge  into  their 
graves  so  quickly.  No  confirmed  drunkard  has  a  life  lease 
of  six  months.  There  are  those  in  their  graves  whom 
we  knew,  two  or  three  years  ago,  as  sober  and  wealthy 
citizens.  Men  are  dying  every  day  of  delirium  tremens, 
whose  known  inebrieties  go  back  but  a  few  months 
No  where  is  intemperance  so  terrible  a  destroyer.  It 
invades  all  classes  and  ranks,  and  unmans  those  in  stations, 
to  whose  duties  none  but  sober  men  are  competent.  It 
is  our  bane  and  our  curse,  as  nothing  else  is. 

Do  you  say :  Get  up  societies  .'  The  Sons  of  Temperance 
are  doing  what  they  can.  Other  organizations  have  been 
had ;    but   they   embraced    only   such   as    were    staunch 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  137 

temperance  men  all  the  while.  The  mass  would  not  go 
near  them.  Do  you  say  :  Lecture  on  the  subject .'  That 
I  am  doing  now.  But  how  many  would  come  to  a  formal 
lecture  ?  We  might  gather  an  audience,  now  and  tlicn,  of 
a  Sunday ;  but  for  that  day  wo  have  enough  work  already. 

Hard  as  it  is,  we  must  "  wait  a  little  longer."  The  evil 
makes  head.  It  will  soon  be  terrible.  Our  greatest  and 
most  honored  men  are  killing  themselves.  They  begin  to 
see  it,  to  feel  it.  There  must  be  some  reaction  soon. 
When  that  begin.s,  our  time  will  have  come.  We  hope  the 
reaction  will  be  as  terrible  and  overwhelming,  as  is  now  the 
scourge.  Men  smile  increduously,  when  spoken  to  about 
anything  lilje  the  ]Maine  law  in  California.  But  the  day 
may  come,  and  that  soon,  when  they  wiU  hail  it  as  the  star 
of  hope,  and  the  harbinger  of  blessings,  and  will  accept  it  as 
their  sole  means  of  deliverance  from  personal  thraldom,  and 
as  the  salvation  of  the  state. 

Look  well  to  your  ways,  ye  that  love  the  maddening 
cup.  Beware  of  the  cr.i-se,  ye  that  put  the  bottle  to  your 
neighbor's  mouth.  Cease  from  a  traffic  you  can  not  praise, 
ye  men  of  the  mart  and  the  saloon.  It  can  not  be  long  ere 
the  condition  of  society,  in  respect  to  this  vice,  shall  be 
much  worse  or  much  better.  You  must  go  into  universal 
drunkenness,  or  reform.     Which  will  you  do  t 

10 


LECTURE    YII 


Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  Avlien  the  morning  glo\Y  cliased 
away  the  dewy  slumbers  from  tlieir  eyes,  that  Pilgrim  and 
Keep  Faith  rose  refreshed.  A  sweet  awe  was  ui^on  their 
spirits,  and  they  felt  a  delightful  calm.  "The  pearl  of 
The  first  day  of  days"  had  dawned.  It  was  the  Lord's  day  ; 
the  week.  ^j^g  ^^^  j^gp.).  ^ijj.Q^g}j  |Qj^g  centurics — oh,  of 

what  change,  and  turmoil,  and  strife,  and  weary  march  of 
benignant  power ! — as  the  ever  fresh  and  bright  memorial 
of  the  scene  in  the  vale  of  Arimathea,  when  tlie  sealed 
stone  was  rolled  from  the  sepulcher  of  Jesus,  and  the  angel, 
with  raiment  white  as  the  light,  sat  upon  it,  and  the 
resurrection  was  accomplished,  the  pledge  and  assurance, 
that  they  that  sleep  in  dust  shall  awake  again. 

There  was  a  certain  hush  and  stillness  in  the  air,  and  tlic 
fevered  heat  of  life  seemed  to  intermit  and  cool.  In  their 
hearts  they  welcomed  the  sacred  morning,  and  with  reading, 
meditation,  and  prayer,  they  began  the  day,  resting 
according  to  the  commandment. 

As  they  were  duly  summoned,  they  proceeded  along  a  few 
streets  to  obtain  their  morning  repast.  But  in  the  thorough- 
Sunday  in    the  fares,    it    seemed    to    Pilgrim  not  much  like 

city  of  Embank-     ,        o   i  i       i        •        i  '^i       •  t.     i 

merit.  the   babbaths   in  the   cood  citv  of   Rodemp- 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  139 

tion.  Stages  wore  whirling  and  rattlinu  alDng,  liaulins 
up  here  and  there,  to  add  other  passengers  to  the 
crowd  already  proceeding  on  a  wretched  and  godless 
way.  In  several  places  they  saw  loaded  teams  ready 
for  starting,  and  others  in  process  of  packing  and 
loading.  At  various  points  there  were  goods,  that  had  been 
sold  and  marked,  piled  outside,  which  were  yet  to  he 
delivered  ;  before  church  time,  it  was  to  be  hoped.  Pilgrim 
took  note  of  the  numbers,  and  names  on  the  siorns,  at  such 
places,  for  he  thought  it  very  likely  he  might  come  in 
contact  with  those  in  business  there,  at  some  future  day, 
and  in  some  other  positions. 

And  then,  there  W3re  rows  and  shops  belonging  to 
Ephraim,  Benjamin,  and  Judah  ;  where  Judah  often  vexed 
Mmiern  men  of  Ephraim,  and  Epliraim  envied  Judah ;  and 
''"''"^'''  where  nearly  all  failed  to  keep  the  Seventh 

day,  bocausj  they  were  too  poor  to  lose  so  much  time  and 
trade,  and  then  refused  to  keep  the  First  day,  because  they 
acknowledged  no  religious  obligation  to  do  so,  or  because 
they  had  so  religiously  honored  the"  Seventh,  according  to 
the  laws  of  their  nation.  Thus  they  .seemed  to  imagine 
they  had  saved  something  ;  and  would,  after  all,  be  able  by 
shrewd  management,  to  keep  a  nameless  ancient  personage, 
too  well  known,  however,  out  of  some  of  his  dues. 

They  heard  also  thy  ring  of  some  anvils,  saw  men 
Rnppings  nr,t  hauini'M-ing    about   .shattered   vehicles,    heard 

spiriliial,        not  . 

sacred.  needless  raspings  and  rappings  in  the  carpenters' 

shop  of  SJoesaw  k.  Slivers,  and  beheld  various  Celestials 
doing  only  that  which  was  fishy  and  terrestrial.  They  might 
have  seen  much  more  that  was  contrary  to  the  law  of  (xod, 
the  rules  of  good  .society,  and  a  proper  regard  for  the 
g.MiM-al  welfare,  if  not  contrary  to  the  municipal  law  on  the 


140  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

subject ;  but,  as  tbey  were  not  roving  about  for  sight  seeing, 
they  did  not  turn  from  the  nearest  course  to  the  place 
sought,  although,  as  they  returned  upon  the  opposite  side  of 
Funday  evening  the    Street,    they   noticed     a     huge    placard, 

tlieatrical      per-  t  i  \  •    •  •  i 

formance.  standing  by  a  large  tree,  giving  notice,  that 

some  Chinese  magicians  and  jugglers  would  perform  on 
Saturday,  Sunday,  arfd  Monday  evenings. 

Pilgrhn  asked  if  such  things  were  allowed  on  Sabbath 
evenings.  He  was  told  there  was  a  municipal  law  forbidding 
them  ;  but  it  remained  to  be  seen  whether  the  policemen 
would  arrest  the  parties,  and  bring  them  to  trial,  according 
to  the  law,  and  so  replenish  the  city  treasury,  out  of  the 
pockets  of  such  as  were  here  simply  to  heathenize  the 
people,  by  showing  them  how  to  throw  knives,  and  cut 
throats,  on  Sunday  night ;  a  sort  of  dexterity  they  needed 
to  know  nothing  more  about,  than  they  knew  already. 

When  a  bell  or  two  rang  for  church,  Rev.  Mr.  Augustine 
told  them  they  would,  doubtless,  learn  more  of  the  people, 
and  be  more  edified,  if  they  went  elsewhere  to  worship, 
than  at  the  place  he  "  was  wont  to  be  at,  as  he  was  not 
Modesty.  accustomed    to    having   such   persons    at   his 

church,  and  he  was  afraid  he  should  be  embarrassed,  if  he 
should  chance,  during  service,  to  look  on  their  features,  so 
marked  with  the  traces  of  their  pilgiimage.  They  assented 
to  the  arrangement  made  for  them  ;  for  Mr.  Augustine  was 
so  peculiar  in  his  common  speech,  that  they  suspected  his 
preaching,  out  of  the  pulpit,  might  be  less  poor,  than  in  it. 
So  Pilgrim  went  to  hear  one  Mr.  Prelacy,  at  ^  brick 
structure,  just  rearing  its  ornamental  pillars,  but  not 
designed  for  a  church.  There  was  a  well  looking,  quiet 
congregation,   and   most   of  the    seats   were  filled.      The 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  1  11 

Mr.  Prelacy  iiis  scfvicc  was  fiiirly  read  and  rendered,  and  the 
sermon.  semiou  was  creditable,  the  style  of  it   ])ciug 

inoori,>-h,  rather  than  florid  and  ornate.  But,  still,  the 
Pilgrim  was  not  inclined  to  converse  on  the  topics  discussed 
iu  the  sermon,     lie  was  averse  to  Sunday  criticisms. 

Keep  Faith  went  in  at  the  chapel  of  one  Mr.  Asbury, 
with  a  small  card  on  it,  intimating  that  it  might  be 
purchased,  for  some  reason,  and  at  a  stated  price.  The 
.Mr.  Asbur\-  his  pi'^achcr  ha<l  a  pleasant,  full  face,  and  a  very 
*^'"*''®'"  modest,  quiet  air,  and  was   not  haggard  any  ; 

as  though  cither  his  conscience,  or  his  means  of  living, 
harassed' and  troubled  him.  lie  preached  well;  and  was 
very  earnest  and  fervent.  But  Keep  Faith  was  sitting  near 
the  door,  and  he  thought  tliere  was  no  need  of  his  speaking 
so  loud  ;  as  the  building  was  not  large,  and  his  ordinary 
tones,  so  well  modulated,  could  be  heard  anywhere. 

As  they  were  returning,  after  having  dined,  they  separated 
and  went  ditlbrent  ways,  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the 
various  Sabbath  schools,  and  hearing  the  speakers  in  them  ; 
Pabbath  schools,  and  they  wcre  not  a  little  pleased  with  what 

a  field    ill  \v;int 

ofiaborers.  they  heard  and  saw;  but  it  did  seem  to  them, 
that  there  were  very  many  more  good  people,  and,  those  of 
rare  abilities,  who  might  profitably  devote  themselves  to  so 
excellent  a  kind  of  work. 

When  these  exercises  were  over,  ami  they  were  on  the 
way  back,  the  bustle,  noiso,  riding,  and  driving,  they  found 
in  the  streets,  caused  them  some  surprise  ;  although  they 
knew,  that,  in  Doomsend,  Daueeport,  Dragdown,  and  other 
cities  that  way,  it  was  the  fashion  to  ride  out  on  Sunday. 
People  in  a  bad  ^^^^^  ^'O^c,  as  they  alleged,  for  health,  some 
'*"*"  for  recreation,  some  for  amusement,  and  some 

for  .spreeing.     They  were  sorry  to  see  the  people  of  Embank- 


142  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

inent  going  so  far,  and  so  generally,  with  a  practice, 
certainly,  not  profitable,  nor  useful,  on  the  whole,  and  often 
detrimental  and  destructive,  especially  to  those  youth, 
whose  weekly  earnings  were  apt  to  he  squandered  in 
Sunday  dissipations  They  were  even  more  than  sorry, 
they  were  grieved  ;  for  both  of  them  thought  they  saw  some 
persons  going  out  to  ride,  whose  faces  they  had  looked  on  at 
the  morning  services.  Perhaps  it  was  a  case  of  necessity. 
Reasons  for  fro-  Were  some  of  their  friends  taken  suddenly  ill  ? 

inn    out  on   the 

Lord's  day.  Were  they  in  a  dying  condition  ?  Had  these 
persons  been  summoned  to  a  funeral  ?  •  Perhaps  they  had. 
For  the  present,  at  least,  let  it  be  supposed  so. 

And  now,  when  it  was  evening,  and  the  crescent  moon 
began  to  .shed  her  silvery  light,  the  bells  rang  again,  and 
they  went  out  together,  through  a  street,  along  which  num- 
)»ers  were  flocking,  in  the  same  direction.  The  street  was 
uneven,  in  some  low  parts  there  was  mud,  and  the  ground 
A  street  to  be  '^^^  littered  and  stumpy;  and  Keep  Faith 
unproved.  Qverhcard  a  youth  saying  to  his  companion, 

wlio  had  stumbled' and  nearly  fallen,  that  it  was  too  bad  to 
be  in  danrjer  a;ettini>'  "  sloao-hcd"  on  the  way  to  church. 

At  a  certain  corner  they  parted,  and  Keep  Faith  went 
into  a  long,  narrow  building,  with  a  spire  on  it.  It  was 
neatly  painted  and  papered.  The  music  was  very  creditable, 
and  all  the  services  well  sustained.  The  preacher  Avas  a 
Meeting'  in  tho  ^^^^^^-^  man.  Carefully  dressed,  lie  had  a  fine 
L-\eniiiL'.  voice,  round  and  smooth,  a)id  managed  with 

.skill.  He  was  vigorous  and  enthusiastic,  as  a  speaker;  he 
was  cultivated  and  pleasing  in  his  address  ;  his  sermon  was 
instructive;  and  Keep  Faith  came  away  not  at  all  di.>isatisfied 
with  his  evening's  experience. 

Pilgrim  entered  a  still  unfinished  structure,  of  brick,  on 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  143 

the  small,  l>ro\vn  corner  :«tone  of  which,  lie  could  read,  by 
the  dun  light,  only,  '' M.  E.  Church,  1S52."  There  was  a 
A  now  and  spa-  *^"'  confrogation  present.  He  sat  on  a  rough 
cious  church.  ggj^^^  without  a  back,  as  there  were  but  few 
seats  there  of  any  other  sort.  The  singers  gallery  was  up 
very  high  from  the  floor,  and  the  ceiling  was  so  lofty  as  to 
lack  proportion.  The  walls  were  white,  plain,  and  neat ; 
the  windoVvs,  long  and  narrow,  and  far  too  numerous;  and 
the  chandeliers  were  quite  rich  and  expensive.  All  this  he 
saw  at  a  glance  The  preacher  was  a  slender  man,  with 
light  hair,  and  long  visage,  but  he  had  a  good  e^'e,  and  his 
voice  had  much  compass,  and  he  used  it  with  no  slight 
eaergy.  lie  dealt  iu  plain  talk,  and  earnest  logic,  and  when 
aroused,  produced  a  deep  impression.  There  was  a  noisy 
reverberation  overhead,  because  the  ceiling  was  too  high ; 
and,  but  for  that,  the  speaking  might  not  have  seemed 
either  loud  or  violent. 

Pilgrim  came  away,  rejoicing  that  so  much  had  been 
Miii-h  more  tobe  performed  and  accomplished  by  this  society, 
undertaken.  ^^^  Y)y  the  community,  iu  general,  for  the 
churches  in  Embankment,  for  they  did  not  goto  all  of  them, 
yet,  feeling  sensibly,  that  much  more  should  be  done  speedily 
in  tlie  erection  of  handsome  church  edifices. 

And  now  the  labors  and  privileges  of  the  day  were  over. 
The  moon  went  down,  but  the  mild  stars  kept  their  watch, 
wliile  the  little  company  sang :  "  Thine  earthly  .Sabbaths, 
Lord,  we  love,"  and  then  committed  themselves  to  the  care 
of  Hina,  under  whose  shadowing  wings  men  securely  trust, 
and  laid  them  down  to  sweet  repose. 

The  sun  was  scarcely  risen,  when  they  were  aroused  by 
the  rap-tap-tap  of  the  coopers,  the  whang  and  creak  of  the 


144  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Mechanical  la-  maclunists,  and  tlie  clink  and  pound  nf  the 
hors  begun.  gmitlis,  all  hard  by.     They  rose  with  exhilara- 

tion, for  the  sound  of  industry  and  labor  was  not  unwelcome  ; 
especially,  when  free  from  the  commingling  of  obscene, 
vulgar,  and  profane  language. 

They  were  soon  ready  for  the  day's  journeyings,  and  went 
forth  in  the  cool  and  delightful  air  of  the  morning.  3Ir. 
Augustine  introduced  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  to  one  Mr. 
Antiquary,  and  to  one  Mr.  Severus  Sharp  ;  and  left  them  in 
Neu-  acquain-  *^^  ^'^^'^  0^  those  persous.  The  travelers  soon 
^*"'^^*"  found  themselves  in  front  of  a  two  story  edifice, 

of  brick,  of  the  doubtful  style  of  architecture,  rather  low 
and  flat,  and  too  nearly  square.  Mr.  Antiquary  said  it  had 
not  been  quite  so  long  in  building  as  Solomon's  temple,  but 
there  had  been  noise  enough  made  about  it,  by  masons 
Court  House.  Speculative,  and  masons  practical,  and  by 
hewers  of  wood  and  mixers  of  mortar  ;  and,  in  fact,  it  was 
not  quite  finished  yet,  at  the  end  of  thirty  and  three  months ; 
but  Solomon  had  an  advantage  over  these  builders,  in  not 
having  to  pay  in  County  Scrip,  One  Hundred  Thousand 
Dollars,  in  order  to  make  Fifty  Thousand  in  current  coin. 

They  must  needs  go  through  the  building,  however,  and  up 
the  stairs,  and  look  about  them.  They  were  shown  into  the 
rooms  where  the  honorable  men  had  places,  while  the 
fugitive  capital  tarried  in  this  region.  Mr.  Sharp  took  them 
abcut  the  room  of  the  Assembly. 

He  said  that  the  Assembly  that  met  there  was  a  body, 
which  had  a  sprinkling  of  true  men  in  it,  and  some  sterling 
legislators,  who  wished  to  honor  their  state,  their  constituency, 
and  themselves,  and  to  comply  with  the  decencies,  proprie- 
ties, and  amenities  of  people,  well  mannered,  enlightened,  and 
christianized.     Accordingly  they  proposed  to  have  chaplains 


M  O 

O  %. 

E-i  a, 

<  5 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  145 


Chaphtins  not  in  ^^  opc'ii  tlirir  daily  sessions  with  prayer.  IJut 
reque»t.  ^^^^  majority  took  no  such  view  of  the  matter. 

They  must  save  time,  and  save  the  people's  money,  and 
save  reliirion  tVom  beinj^  mixed  np  with  secular  affairs,  and 
save  themselves  from  the  necessity  of  feelins;  any  such  moral 
restraint,  as  might  ari.se  therefrom. 

One  man  i'liared  the  union  of  church  and  state.  Another 
was  a  sceptic,  and  wanted  no  prayers.  A  third  didn't  want 
any  body  to  groan  and  grimace  him  to  heaven.  As  if, 
forsooth,  his  prospects  were  so  bright  they  might  not  be 
improved.  A  fourth  looked  on  a  legislative  body  as  a 
sort  of  mill  for  grinding  out  laws  ;  and  it  wi're  just  as  proper 
to  open  a  cotton  mill  with  ])ra_ver,  as  such  a  body.  ]Jut 
Reasons  for  de-  Mr.   Sharp  thouirht  it   made  some  difference 

c'.ining      public  _  "- 

prayers.  wliat  animals  were  put  upon  the  tread  ;  and  if 

it  should  do  no  good  to  pray  for  these  legislators,  it  might 
be  to  the  purpose,  to  j)ray  that  we  might  have  no  more  such. 

So,  he  said,  after  tliey  had  thrice  rejected  the  proposition 
to  have  a  chaplain,  the  effort  to  have  one  was  given  up,  and 
the  body  went  on  in  its  own  chosen  and  hand.some  way, 
astonishing  the  state  with  its  rare  brilliance,  excelleuee, 
uncommon  dignity,  and  transcendent  worth. 

The  room  adjoining,  was  the  one  in  which  the  Senate  sat. 
This  was  a  far  more  ijuiet  and  well  ordered  bod)'  of  men, 
fc^enators.  who  had  emjilov.'d  a  clia]ilain,  finm  the  very 

first,  and  kept  evenly  on  their  way ;  though,  like  the  other 
house,  they  took  no  steps  against  a  member,  who  had  fought 
a  dud  during  the  session,  an<l  could  not  longiM-,  by  the  terms 
of  the  constitution,  hold  office. 

As  they  came  out  of  this  building,  after  a  brief  survey  of 
Entertaininoiit  jt,  they  saw,  ou  the  oppositc  side  of  the  street, 

for  men  and  aiii-  '  ri       •      i       ■•      i 

mills-  a  Congress    Hall,    and    a    Lajutol    L.xchaiige, 


140  THE    CALIFORNtA    PILGRIM. 


where  members,  who  coukl'nt  afford  time  for  prayers,  used 
to  retrciit,  refresh,  jiml  rcfrigonite,  for  hours  together. 
Corrals  and  hay  were  kept  out  hack,  for  ^ueli  animals,  from 
the  tread  mill  of  legislation,  as  could  not,  for  weariness,  or 
other  cause,  take  themselves  off"  at  night,  and  had  no  friends 
to  put  them  into  a  hand  cart. 

They  stopped,  for  a  moment,  to  admire  the  beautiful 
cottage  near  by,  so  <|uict  and  homelike,  and,  in  latter  times, 
so  M'ell  possessed  At  the  Alpha  Zeta  house.  Pilgrim 
asked  Keep  Faith,  who  was  a  scholar,  the  meaniug  of  the 
name.  Keep  Faith  said  it  was  too  deep  for  him  ;  and  for 
aught  he  could  see,  some  other  (J reek  letters  would  do  as 
well,  and  Alpha  Upsilon  might  be  substituted.  ]iut  it  made 
a  name,  and  perhaps  that  was  euough,  as  the  man  believed, 
who  called  his  sons  Primus,  Secundiis,  and  so  on,  to 
Duodecimus. 

On  the  corner  was  a  nameless  place,  formerly  given  over 
Fiin.i.iii-'o  est.i-  ^'^  orgies  and  carousals,  that  kept  the  people  of 

blish.ncLt.  jj,^     ^^,,,^^j^     ^jI^^^^^j,     ^^^..,j.^,     (iji     ,„„n,ing,     with 

fiddles,  and  drums,  and  stentorian  lungs  shouting  the  figures, 
movements,  and  steps,  as  the  drunken  dance  Avent  (Ui ;  but 
now  it  was  far  more  orderly  and  quiet ;  and  possibly  it  was 
nuieh  changed  for  the  better,  with  now  proprietors. 

On  two  sides  of  them,  now  again,  were  those  interminable 
hay  stacks,  yards,  and  stables,  with  their  men  of  delicato 
speech  and  delicious  airs,  and  strings  of  lame  and  rickety 
vehicles,  and  herds  of  costly  swine,  and  specimens  of 
howling  dogs.  As  they  proceeded,  ?>Ir.  Antiquary  saw  that 
Improvements,  one  building,  long  a  place  of  more  notoriety 
than  good  fame,  had  lost  its  hermit's  sign,  and  that  the  house 
adjoining  was  closed,  after  liaving  been  kept  by  these  and 
those  as  a  conventicle  for  such  as  loved  the  darkness.     But 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  147 


he  easily  consoled  himself  under  the  slight  touch  of  grief  he 
felt,  thougli  things  were  not  as  they  used  to  be.  A  little 
further  on,  was  the  poet\s  corner,  at  the  light,  and  a  dung  and 
rubbi.sh  acre,  on  the  left. 

And  now  I  saw  that  tiiey  mounted  upon  one  of  the  high 
Old  courthouse,  embaukmsuts  of  the  city,  having  the  ancient 
fountain  of  justice,  now  run  entirely  dry,  on  one  hand,  and 
a  down  east  hotel,  swarming  with  fair  ladies,  on  the  other. 
There  were  flourishing  shade  trees  in  line,  and  cottages 
behind  them,  overlooking  the  lake.  While  they  admired  the 
view,  toward  the  west,  Mr.  Sharp  could  not  help  turning  to 
the  cast,  and  saying,  that  the  proprietors  of  the  land  should 
raise  the  grade  of  the  whole  street,  out  to  the  high  land  and 
the  Libert}'  pole  ;  and  thus  bless  pedestrians,  and  riders, 
and  drivers,  and  advantage  also  themselves  and  the 
communit}-, 

When  thoy  came  to  the  Orient,  the  proprietor  politely 
View  from  the  showcd  them  to  the  top  of  that  tall  structure, 
"  '^'■'^""''•"  overlooking  the  town,  and  the  plain,  on  all  sides. 
There  were  the  silver  rivers,  the  little  lake,  the  broad  acres, 
the  farm  houses,  the  timber  belts,  the  monuments  of  the 
past,  the  city  of  the  dead,  the  vast  tulares,  the  changing 
verdure,  the  autumn  glow,  and  the  busy,  bustling  city,  all 
in  view,  as  in  a  moment.  And  it  was  a  rare  sight,  and 
combination,  such  as  Bustledom  could  no  where  else 
present  to  citizen  or  traveler. 

And  when  tliey  were  told  of  the  changes  of  time,  and 
what  !Mr.  Antiquary  had  seen  in  three  brief  voais ;  it  all 
appeared  to  them  like  a  dream,  and  they  seemed  to  them- 
selves to  be  only  in  a  vision,  standing  there  on  the  house 
top,  and  gazing.     How  beautiful  must  this  prospect  i  ecome, 


148  THE    CALIFOUNrA    PILGUIM. 

A  prospect  of  the  ^^^"^  ^^^-  Sharp,  wlien  the  mayor  and  council 
*^"""'^'  shall  have  executed  a  decree,  that  green  trees 

sliall  (rrow,  a  score  of  feet  apart,  along  every  street  of  the 
expanding  city,  and  the  whole  outspread  shall  have  changed 
to  a  scene  of  verdure,  culture,  blossom,  fruit,  trcUised 
vine,  flowering  border,  and  sweet  home,  and  joyous  life  ! 

AVhcn  they  were  sati.-'fied  with  seeing,  they  descended  to 
the  stdjet,  nnd  discovered  another  huge  stabling  establish- 
nient,  right  across  the  way,  but  tiicrc  were  no  hay  stacks  in 
siglit.  Th'^y  proceeded  along  the  highway,  and  Mr. 
Anti(juary  was  in  fine  spirits,  for  they  were  coming  to  the 
The  stories  „f  ^"^"i'^'^*^  po''ti*^ns  of  the  city.  He  showed  them, 
Mr.  Antiquary.  ^^  ^^^q  right,  the  spot  wherc  a  certain  worthy 
Professor's  corral  had  been,  where  the  team  was  quartered 
which  he  .si>;iietiines  drove,  and  sometimes  a  former  county 
niHcer,  in  his  turn.  He  .'showed  tlicm  wliere  there  had  been 
coal  pits  burned,  before  the  cit)'-  of  ]']mbanknient  was  even 
thought  of,  or  the  gold  beds  found,  lie  pointed  out  the 
very  frame  of  a  frail  structure,  built.by  a  retired  clergy-man, 
at  an  early  day,  for  a  meat  market  and  .so  on,  who, 
HCcordiug  to  the  saying  of  his  rival  neighbors,  usod  to  chop 
sau.sage  moat  all  the  week,  and  rehash  an  old  sermon  for 
Sunday. 

Then,  he  indicated  the  spot,  by  an  overhanging  vine,  and 
beneath  shady  oaks,  where  was  built,  by  the  same  Professor 
The  first  school  "^^'''^  Owned  the  team,  in  July,  '49,  the  first 
'°"*®'  school    house    in    Embankment,    where    was 

taught,  by  a  graduate  of  "  Yale,"  the  first  day  school,  and 
begun  the  first  Sabbath  school,  in  the  whole  valley.  But  of 
that  fjvmous  structure,  at  the  end  of  three  years,  nearly 
every  trace  had  disappeared.  And  those  who  once  frequented 
it  were  scattered  far  and  wide,  from  Orient  to  Occident ; 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  149 


and  some  slept  their  long   sleep,  in  mountain  graves,  or 
among  the  coral  beds  of  the  green  sea. 

At  the  head  of  Third  street  was  a  spot,  in  ancient  times 
known  as  the  "  tertium  quid,"  where  was  a  tent  in  the' 
autumn  of  '49,  in  which  was  a  card  table,  a  negress,  and  a 
seventh  rate  ^uble  fiddler  ;  and  there,  all  night  long,  wa.s 
sy.npi.onies  and  thcrc,  on  the  barc  ground,  such  dancing,  noise, 
tiio  fantastic  toe.  j-^^giy^  and  coufusion,  as  might  madden  a 
mule,  or  excruciate  a  rhinoceros.  In  process  of  time,  the 
"  quid"  became  a  "  quarter,"  and  Was  designated  by  the 
prefix  of  Guinea. 

The  population  has  increased  in  Gruinca  quarter,  and  the 
buildings  have  grown  and  multiplied  ;  but  its  character  has 
scarcely   improved;    and   thither   the    black   "wave   rolls 
nightly,"  and,   dark  as  evening.  Is  the  cloud  of  negroes, 
shuffling  rapidly.     There   they  drink,  smoke,   and  swear; 
Practices     in  wear   gold   rings,   heavy   chains,  and  double 
quarter. '"      '"  repeaters,  and   sport   cultivated   mustachies  ; 
gamble,    curse,   fisticuff,   and   shoot   pistols;  dance,   sing, 
<|uarrcl,  Jiud  call  the  police  ;  and,  in  fine,  do  all  other  acts 
:ind  things  which   sable,  free,  and  independent  gentlemen 
may,  of  right,  do,  to  place  themselves  on  a  level  with  their 
more  bleached  and  angular  brethren,  of  the  city  ;  except 
that  they  are  spared  all  concern  about  darkening  the  hue  of 
their  legs,  or  of  painting  their  nasal  organs  with  vermillion. 
Going  onward,  they  passed  another  stable,  on  the  left, 
and  various  buildings  for  machinery,  on  the  right;  one  of 
which  looked  like  a  coffee  and  spice  mill.     Mr.  Sharp  said 
he  was  once  in  such  an  establishment,  prominently  situated 
in  San  Fastopolis,  and  ere  he  was  aware,  he  got  beyond  the 
"  No  Admittance,",  and,  with  his  own   eyes,  he  saw  coffee 


150  THE    CALIFORNIA    I'lLGRIM. 

•'Piiro  crHiind  1>c;in.s,  and  Cliilc  beans,  poing  tofrctlier  into  tlic 
■'*''"■"  cottoe  hopper  to  bo  ground  ;  and  liow  in    the 

world  thoy  got  them  ai>art  afterward  lie  did  not  see.  lie 
Iftjped  tliey  were  more  on  their  guard  here  against  such 
mistakes. 

J'assing  one  more  stable,  on  the  loft,  tlioy  caiiie  to  an 
ancicut  corner,  the  oldest  two  story  building  in  ail  the  eity, 
and  once  owned  by  a  man  who  came  within  a  few  votes  of 
bLiing  <J-ovcrnor.  It  soennd,  in  rocent  months,  to  have 
An  ancient  degenerated  la  the  character  of  its  occupants  ; 
'"'"'"^■''  but  of  the  present  ones  Mr.  Auti«juary  said  he 

know  nothing.  lie  was  sorry  to  seo  them,  by  the  new 
embankment,  turning  the  whole  corner  so  decidedly  out  of 
town,  without  touching  it;  but  ho  supposed  it  could  not  bo 
helped.  They  passed  on,  by  the  ferry  landing,  the  fish 
place,  the  bath  house,  and  the  water  works,  to  the  old  Sutter 
reserve,  which  the  Pioneer  had  kept  as  a  landing  place  for 
his  canoes,  scows,  Indians,  and  so  on,  in  all  time  to  come  ,in 
ease  he  should  need  some  such  spot,  for  the  exclusive  use 
and  behoof  of  himself  and  his  retinues.  They  visited  the 
breach  through  the  embankment,  made  on  a  certain  feai'ful 
night,  whereof  no  pilot  sings ;  and  .saw  also  the  spot  where 
the  first  little  steam  craft  that  rippled  the  stream,  tied  up, 
and  surrendered  her  cargo,  at  the  mouth  of  the  outlet  of 
]jake  Sutter. 

Turning  back,  they  walked  along  the  famous  levee,  and 
looked  across  to  the  town  on  the  opposite  .'^hore,  lying 
(juietly  in  its  easy  dignity,  as  if  in  haste  about  nothing. 
Then  Mr.  Antiquary  called  their  attention  to  a  lot,  f.iom 
Another  venera-  which  a  spacious  building  had  recently  gone, 
bie  edifice.  ^^  demolition.     It  was  once  set  np  far  a  grist 

mill,  on  the  American  river,  but  was  removed  to  town,  and 


THE    CALIFORXIA    PILGRIM.  151 


known  last  as  the  "  City  Hotel,"  and  took  its  place  there  in 
September  of  '49,  tUe  great  lion  of  the  town  in  those  days, 
and  it  was  kept  by  Messrs,  13irdsnare  &  Cook.  Mr. 
Antiquary  remembered  a  certain  marriage  there  .'solemnized 
by  a  sickly  young  minister,  at  which  were  pre.sent  a  renowned 
The  first  wed-  gentleman  of  the  bar,  and  others.  He  had  not 
*"'"=■  seen  tlic  parties  since ;  but  it   was  an  affair 

with  peculiarities  ;  a  thing  to  be  remembered  quite  as  long 
as  the  building  itself.  A  little  fartlier  on,  was  the  site  of 
the  oldest  "  round  tent,"  the  grand  saloon  of  the  day, 
where  cards  were  shuffled,  fortunes  were  lost,  brains  were 
addled,  passions  were  fired,  heart,  and  liopo,  a)id  honor 
were  blighted,  and  ruined  mortab  cursed  tlioit-  dny.  Aixl 
hard  by  it,  was  the  site  of  the  old  Kagle  tlR-ater,  so 
Tiie  first  tiiea-  carly  iu  voguc,  and  so  caily  cat  in;.'  u^^d  tlu- 
'^'''  proprietors'  f(n'tuues.     It  was  constructed  of 

wood  and  cloth;  but  jMr.  Autitjuary  was  never  inside  of  it. 
He  might,  however,  have  cut  his  way  in,  as  otlieis  were 
thought  to  have  done,  though  one  could  hear  as  well 
outside  as  if  he  were  iu.  Beyond  this,  in  the  cntre  of  the 
block,  had  been  al.-o,  in  the  same  days,  a  noted  restaurant, 
with  gauze,  gimp,  and  frippery,  about  the  windows — how 
costly  and  magnificent  in  those  days  !  It  was  called  the 
White  huiise.  "White  Housc  for  its  paint;  and,  though  kept 
by  a  colored  man,  was  decidedly  in  the  fashion,  and 
patronized  by  great  men,  rich  men,  swelling  men,  and 
dashing  men,  with  money  to  spare. 

The}  were  now  opposite  the  main  thoroughfare  of  Em- 
bankment, and  were  looking  down  through  the  long  vista, 
all  alive  with  business  and  bustle,  when  there  dashed  around 
the  corner,  on  which  stood  the  very  oldest  tenement  in  the 
city,  now  the  shabbiest  and  meanest  of  all  places  to  look 


152  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

on,  two  gentlemen  on  horseback,  seldom  seen  together, 
although  they  were  copartners  in  the  practice  of  law.  They 
were  not  old,  nor  handsome  ;  not  quite  old  enough  yet  to  be 
Attorneys  at  law.  out  of  the  conceit  of  their  power  to  captivate 
the  most  unimpassioned  and  reserved  of  the  lovelier  sex. 
Mr.  Sharp  said  he  know  them  well.  Their  names  were 
(rarnish  and  Gripe.  Tliey  were  from  different  sections  of 
the  Union,  originally,  were  of  opposite  politics,  went  to 
different  churches,  when  they  condescended  to  go  at  all, 
never  boarded  at  the  same  place,  nor  dressed  alike,  nor  did 
they  seem  to  have  any  natural  athnitics. 

Mr.  Sharp  said,  that  bu.'iiness  and  profits  made  strange 
bedfellows.  It  was  convenient  to  have  a  law  firm  in  sym- 
pathy with  both  sides  in  politics  ;  and  he  had  known  iu- 
Principies,  not  stances  iu  which  the  two  associated  had  been 
*"*"•  previously  on  the  same  side,  and   had  flipped 

up  a  quarter  to  decide  which  of  them  should  go  over  to  the 
otlier.  These  arrangements  of  convenience  were  not  to  be 
overlooked,  in  any  line  of  business.  There  would  be,  fre- 
(juently,  an  out  door  man,  and  an  in  door  man  ;  a  writing 
man,  and  a  talking  man ;  one  to  get  business,  another  to 
do  it ;  one  to  work,  another  to  play ;  one  to  do  the  spreeing, 
another  to  keep  up  the  dignity  ;  one  to  be  "hail  fellow  well 
met,"  at  all  sorts  of  places,  the  other  to  move  only  in  select 
circles ;  one  to  do  the  affable  and  enact  the  agreeable,  the 
other  to  be  stern,  to  frown,  and  to  brow  beat ;  one  to  be 
the  Garnish,  the  other  to  act  the  Gripe.  It  is  a  great  city, 
no  doubt,  this  of  ours,  said  Mr.  Sharp,  but  there  are  some 
little  things  of  this  sort  we  don't  yet  understand  fully,  and 
various  priv'ate  ai-rangements,  that  would  make  a  sensation, 
could  they  all  at  once  be  revealed. 

They  now  came  upon  a  group  of  three  ;  one  of  whom  Mr. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.*  153 

Sharp  called  Di*.  Moneymake  ;  the  second,  Captaia  ;  the 
Affixing  titles,  third,  Judge.  It  turned  out  soon,  that  he  had 
fixed  the  titles  all  right,  though  he  had  no  acquaintance 
with  any  but  the  Doctor.  When  Keep  Faith  asked  him  to 
explain  how  he  came  to  be  so  accurate  in  the  matter,  Mr. 
Sharp  remarked,  that,  when  he  saw  three  strangers  in 
Embankment,  or  even  in  Bustledom  any  where,  he  was  sure 
to  call  one  Doctor,  one  Captain,  and  one  Judge  ;  if  there 
was  a  fourth,  he  called  him  Esquire ;  a  fifth.  General ;  a 
sixth.  Honorable  ;  and,  if  a  seventh,  with  a  spruce  hat  on, 
but  with  boots  cracked,  and  run  down  at  the  heel,  he 
called  him  Reverend.  If  there  were  any  more  than  the 
seven,  he  should  begin  and  go  round  again,  but  would 
double  the  Doctors.  In  respect  to  fixing  the  titles  upon 
the  right  persons,  he  could  give  no  rule  very  exact,  but  it 
Distribution  of  would  comuionly  be  safe  to  call  the  seediest 
honors.  ^^^^  Judge ;  the  rummiest  one,  Esquire ;  the 

supplest  one.  Doctor ;  the  roughest  one.  Captain ;  the 
portliest  one,  Honorable  ;  the  showiest  one,  General ;  and 
the  threadbare  one.  Reverend. 

Proceeding  down  the  levee,  they  examined  the  hulka 
moored  along  in  line,  looking  desolate  enough,  dismantled 
and  transmuted,  withdrawn  for  ever  from  the  bound,  and 
sweep,  and  play  of  the  ocean  waves,  to  lie  there  and 
consume  by  time  and  decay ;  just  as  old  men,  whose 
limbs  refuse  longer  to  carry  them,  succumb  to  their  fate. 
They  went  on  the  levee  far  enough  to  look  at  the  hugest 
and  grandest  of  all  the  venerable  oaks  and  sycamores,  that 
once  had  been,  but  were  no  more,  a  fine  feature  in 
Embankment ;  and,  also,  at  the  oldest  of  all  the  bricks — 
the  brick  buildings — not  the  oldest  of  the  "  order  of  bricks," 

in  the  town. 
11 


]54  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Then  they  turned  back  into  a  street,  on  which  fronted 
Another  theater,  the  Pacific  theater,  a  biiiUlinfr  which  ha'd  f^unk 
more  money,  in  proportion  to  its  cost,  than  any  other  in  the 
place  ;  and  yet  men  would  still  try  to  renovate  and  revive? 
the  concern,  dead  as  it  was  to  anythinjif  like  popularity. 
Mr.  Sharp  said,  he  thoujrlit  it  might  he  turned  to  some 
profit  as  a  stable,  for  he  saw  that  the  city  market,  hard  by, 
was  stowed  full  of  hay  for  winter^s  use,  but,  whether  for  the 
accommodation  of  loafers,  or  horses,  he  could'nt  determine. 

Keep  Faith  wished  Mr.  Antiqnary  to  explain  the  reasons 
How  the  citv  f*^'"  ^^^^^  ""  appropriation  of  a  public  building, 
Ser  ^*ouso  in  the  middle  of  a  street.  He  said  there  were, 
not  Its  own.  ^^^  years  or  more  ago,  some  patriotic  persons, 
who  wore  desirous  of  extending  the  city  in  that  direction  ; 
and,  wishing  to  obtain  the  aid  of  the  Council,  they  offered  to 
build  a  market  house,  to  take  their  pay  out  of  stall  rents, 
and  then  give  it  up  to  the  city,  provided  the  Council  would 
pass  a  law,  requiring  all  marketing  to  be  done  in  that 
buildini^r.  The  agreement  was  made  ;  the  building  erected  ; 
and  the  law  passed.  But  the  market  men  would  not  go 
there ,  and  the  Council  had  not  promised  to  drive  them 
there,  and  so  the  project  failed.  Of  course,  some  of  those 
most  concerned  were  down  on  the  Council,  with  considerable 
Indignation.  powor  of  indignation,  reminding  them  each  of 
the  two  hundred  dollars  per  month  they  were  receiving, 
and  hinting  that  they  might  properly  vote  themselves 
medals,  as  their  cousins  in  San  Fastopolis  had  done ; 
suggesting  that  the  material  might  be  any  thing  they 
fancied,  from  sole  leather  or  sheet  iron,  up  to  topaz  or 
diamonds,  set  in  gold. 

The  state  hospital  was  near,  and  they  went  silently  through 
Hospital.  its  various  wards,  and  departed,  for  the  scenes 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  155 

they  witnossad  were  saddaniag  ones,  as  thsy  must  be.  Mr. 
Sharp  said  the  intention  of  the  state  was  to  provide  amply 
for  all  suif'jreis,  and  it  had  done  nobly  in  the  matter ;  and 
the  city  of  Embankment  likewise,  had,  every  year,  paid  out 
scores  of  thousands  for  taking  care  of  the  sick,  and  dying, 
and  dead.  As  to  this  branch  hospital,  he  said  he  was  no 
doctor,  and  had  no  patients  to  discourse  about,  nor  anything 
to  say  coneerning  the  management  of  it,  but  he  was 
acquainted  with  a  number  of  "  Odd  Fellows"  that  had. 

Going  onward  till  they  came  to  the  low  grounds,  they 
'■  Build  not  voiir  turned  to  the  right,  around  a  squat,  square 
house  too  high."  jjuiijiog^  standing  on  stilts,  and  higher  than 
the  fence,  bringing  back,  with  its  emptiness  and  eminence, 
memories,  more  cool  than  refreshing,  of  a  deluge,  a  good 
while  after  Noah's.  They  went  a  block  or  two  along  this 
street,  wide  and  handsome,  where  were  tasteful  dwellings, 
and  comfortable  and  (juiet  homes,  yards,  gardens,  flowers, 
vines,  and  shrubbery,  in  various  stages  of  advancement. 
Then  they  were  taken  one  side,  by  Mr.  Antiquary,  to  the 
spot  where  the  gallows  had  stood,  on  which  the  authorities 
and  people  of  the  town  had  executed  three  wretched  men, 
more  than  a  twelve  month  before  ;  and  the  work  had 
been  done  so  thoroughly,  they  hoped,  as  to  spare  them  the 
necessity  of  ever  doing  it  for  any  others. 

Having  gone  across  other  low  grounds,  they  stopped  to 
witness  the  process  of  brick  making  ;  and  to  rest  themselves 
in  the  shade  of  a  tree.  A  man,  with  an  apron  on,  long  in 
A  brick  yard.  persou  and  sharp  faced,  with  a  curl  in  his  lip, 
one  eye  half  closed,  his  hat  on  one  side  of  his  stiff  hair, 
came  up,  introducing  himself  as  the  boss,  one  Ezekiel 
Pennyshavc,  'prenticed  and  edycated  jest  round  Bosting. 
S'pose  ye  wanter  hire,  don't  ye  .'     Can't  give  much  ;  times 


156  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


(lull ;  iiiakin  notliin.  No,  sir,  said  Pilgrim  ;  wo  only  wish  to 
look  on  a  moment.  "Wall,  yc  can't  steal  this  trade,  no 
hcow.  Ef  yc  don't  wantcr  git  work,ye'll  dicker,  won't  ye  .'' 
ciiaiirp  for  a  'ihcrc's  a  watch,  rcg'Iar  bull's  eye,  sell  her  for 
''"''^'""  twenty    five    dollars;    runs    hand.<ou»e.       No 

(juicre  .'  ]*r'aps  you'll  sell  then  ;  wliat'llyc  take  for  yourn  f 
Pay  in  luick,  liftecn  dollars  a  thousand;  I  s'lect  'em. 
Don't  want  tu  sell,  eh  .'  IJut  you  liaint  got  no  pistols  !  I'll 
sellyer  one  ;  she's  a  smoker  ;  kill  a  hear  dead's  a  door  nail ; 
only  forty  dollars.     But  they  were  not  in  want. 

So,  when  they  had  been  questioned  thus,  for  a  quarter  of 
an  hour,  they  rose  up  to  go,  and  bade  the  boss  good  day. 
They  had  gone  but  a  few  yards,  when  they  heard  Ezckiel 
Pennyshave  saying,  hello,  there,  Mister,  what'll  ye  take  for 
A  stair.  that  air  prop.-     (Meaning   Mr.    Antiquary's 

gold  headed  cane.)  ]Mr.  Antiquary  said  it  was  a  friend's 
gift,  for  saving  him  from  being  drowned,  and  he  could  not 
part  with  it.  Oh  !  said  he,  you  don't  say  so,  drownded  .' 
Wall,  it's  a  capital  stick.  See  here,  said  he  then,  ef  yc 
travel  much  furder  that  way,  ye '11  be  "  pilgrims  on  the 
scorchiu  sand,"  'cordon  to  the  psa'm  book.  They  went  on, 
however,  by  brick  yards,  pig  styes,  ditches,  sand  heaps,  and 
sand  holes ;  through  dust,  and  through  bushes  ;  and  came, 
at  last,  to  the  "  city  of  the  dead." 

There  they  were  busied,  a  long  time,  in  looking  for  the 
The  citv  feme-  gi'^vos  of  some  of  their  acquaintances,  who 
'^'■^'  had  fallen  by  the  way,  in  the  weaiy  march  of 

the  onward  liosts,  through  the  land  of  gold.  "While  they 
were  thus  employed,  they  sun  went  down ;  and,  oh,  for  the 
hundreds  there,  how  many  suns  had  set  to  rise  no  more  ! 
They  hastened  away,  for  all  around  was  ashy,  earthy,  and 
desolate,    given   utterly    over  to    dreariness,   neglect,   and 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  157 

decay.  The  firmament  hung  out  its  twinlding  lamps,  and 
the  moon  flooded  the  wide  plain  with  her  silver  sheen,  as 
they  returned,  and  sought  their  place  of  rest. 

MORAL. 

Among  the  most  durable  mementos  of  decayed  nations 
and  extinct  races  are  their  sepulchers.  The  tombs"  they 
built  arc  now  their  monuments.  These  exist  in  the; 
catacombs  and  pyramids  of  Egypt,  in  the  rocky  caves  of 
Petra,  in  the  buried  and  now  exhumed  cities  of  Assyria, 
amid  the  ruins  of  Central  America,  and  in  the  mounds 
of  the  aborigines  of  our  country. 

Those  who  constructed  them,  might  have  had  some  dim 
notion,  that  the  bodies  they  entombed  were  to  revive  ;  but 
they  had  no  revelation  from  God  to  that  purport.  Their 
extreme  care  for  the  dead  was,  the>'efore,  as  extraordinary 
as  it  was  commendable. 

But  we  have  a  revelation  from  God,  and  we  believe  on 
the  ground  of  it,  in  the  resurrection  of  the  body.  So 
believing,  it  seems  but  natural  th:it  we  should  cherish,  with 
peculiar  interest,  the  graves  of  our  lost  ones,  wlio  sleep  in 
the  dust.  It  is  natural.  And  it  is  fit  and  proper.  Yet, 
us  a  community,  we  are  acting  an  unnatural  part.  Our 
city  cemetery  lies  without  an  enclosure,  exposed  to  all  sorts 
of  ravages,  and  to  the  trampling  of  beasts,  clean  and  unclean. 
Every  green  growth  is  gnawed  and  broken,  and  the  grass  is 
trodden  into  the  soil.  There  is  much  shrubbery  there  of  a 
native  growth.  The  spot  is  a  natural  flower  bed.  Securel}- 
fenced,  in  a  single  season  it  would  begin  to  bloom  in  beauty, 
and  would  cease  to  off'cnd  by  its  barren  aspect. 

There  are  two  thousand  graves  there  ;  one  half  of  them, 
graves  of  men  under  thirty,  who  fell,  while  yet  the  visions 


158  THE    CAMFORMA    PII.(;UIM. 

of  their  youth  were  brifjht ;  and  those  graves  are  so  many 
voices  callin;^  ou  our  authorities  and  our  citizens  to  do,  what 
wo  h;ivo  lonsT  besought  thtin  to  do,  in  the  matter.  They 
have  no  valid  excuse  to  make.  This  neglott  is  eriniinal. 
Ah,  if  they  all  expected  to  lay  their  own  liodies  there,  it 
might  soon  be  a  hallowed  and  beautiful  s|)ot  ;  where  wc 
should  love  to  go  often,  and  to  linger,  and  to  commune  with 
the  departed,  and  to  rej<jice  in  the  hope  of  a  blessed 
resurrection!  !May  such  a  change  come  speedily,  over 
our  cemetery ! 


LECTURE    VIII. 


Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  that  the  little  company  that 
was  lodging  at  Mr.  Augustine's  house,  was  awakened  very 
early  in  the  morning,  long  before  the  sun  was  risen,  by  a 
loud  knock  at  the  door.  The  man  who  knocked  was  Mr. 
Mr  5t,-.unchman  Stannchiuan,  who  had  been  with  Pilgrim  and 
en  route.  his  companions  One  day  at  San  Fastopolis.    He 

had  left  that  city  the  evening  previous,  and,  by  a  fleet 
steamer,  had  come  to  Embankment ;  and  was  on  his  way 
into  the  country,  to  find  the  "  golden  wedge  of  Ophir." 
He  had  secured  a  seat  in  the  stage,  and  was  now  come 
to  give  Mr.  Augustine  a  call,  before  the  hour  of  departure. 

The  appearance  of  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith,  as  they 
came  down  stairs,  gave  him  a  pleasant  surprise,  for  he 
did  not  anticipate  meeting  them  again.  When  they  had  all 
joined  in  a  service  of  morning  thanksgiving  and  praise,  the 
three  accompanied  Mr.  Staunchman  to  the  Increase  City 
hotel,  where  he  was  to  take  his  seat  in  the  Troy  coach, 
and  then  go  whirling  over  the  plains,  which  they  must 
traverse  on  foot,  when  they  were  able. 

They  found  a  large  crowd  collected  about  the  hotel, 
Stage  office.  completely  jamming  the  side  walks  in  front. 
The  street  itself  was  also  nearly  blocked  up  with  stages,  and 


160  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

horses,  and  baggage,  and  men.  The  runners  and  agents 
were  busy  selling  tickets,  and  shouting  out  at  the  top  of 
their  voices,  the  destination,  speed,  qualities,  and  so  on,  of 
their  respective  lines  aud  vehicles.  Opposition  was  rife, 
and  the  competition  was  sharp.  The  drivers  were  sitting 
upon  their  boxes,  attending  to  their  restive  teams.  Passen- 
gers were  crowding  inside,  crawling  to  the  top,  mounting 
"A  few  more  "pou  the  boot,  and  trying  to  stick  in  places 
men';'''^strr"''rn  ^^i^t  could  hardly    bc    Called    seats ;    so   that 

five  .niiiules."       ^^^^^^     ^^.^^^     1^,^^.^,^     ^^     j^^].    ]|j.g    ^    elustciof 

human  bees. 

At  length,  the  drivens  cracked  their  long  whips, 
and  the  teams  dashed  off,  one  after  another,  full  tilt,  up  the 
street.  "When  a  dozen  or  fifteen  of  them  had  gone,  the 
candy  boys,  the  newspaper  boys,  the  "porters,  and  the  lookers 
on,  began  to  disperse,  and  some  degree  of  quiet  was  restored 
to  the  noisy  street.  The  travelers  also  went  thence,  to 
breakfast  with  their  host,  remarking  that  they  could  now 
perceive  the  need  there  was  of  so  many  stables  aud  hay 
yards  in  Embankment. 

Groing  out  from  a  high  and  peculi/ir  hotel,  a  little  way, 
they  looked  back  upon  it,  standing  slender  aud  tall,  above 
"The  aueen  ^^^  ^*^  neighbors,  with  its  piazza,  and  balus- 
^"y-"  trades  running  around  the  second  and  third 

stories,  set  oft"  with  fancy  railings,  ginger  bread,  carved  work, 
and  cheap  ornaments,  all  neatly  covered  with  white  paint. 
These  features  combined  gave  the  structure  a  large  and 
handsome  appearance,  though  it  really  lacked  breadth  and 
capacity,  until  it  took  to  itself  the  humbler  edifice  adjoining. 

From  one  thoroughfare  to  another,  they  went  by  a  cross 
street,  having  a  white  chapel,  and  the  drab  colored  church 
of  the  Padre,  on  their  left,  and  smiths'  shops,  wagon  shops, 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  161 

crazy  old  running  gear,  remnants  of  everything,  bars  of  iron, 
bags  of  coal,  heaps  of  cinders,  and  unused  timber,  on  their 
right. 

Turning  to  the  right,  they  went  westward  on  a  street, 
whose  designation  was  a  letter  nearly  central  in  the  alphabet. 
On  the  block  thoy  passed  first,  were  boarding  houses,  horse 
stables,  and  harness  shops,  mixed  up  strange!}'  together, 
and  allowing  scarcely  room  for  a  doctor  and  a  lawyer  to  get 
offices  in  anywhere. 

They  noticed  the  peculiar  arcliitecture  of  this  block  but 
slightly,  for  their  attention  was  drawn  at  once  to  the  crowd, 
hubbub,  noise  and  confusion,  at  the  next  corners  ;  where, 
indeed,  was  such  a  sight  and  scene  as  they  never  beheld  or 
Imagined  before.  It  was  very  like,  they  foncied,  to  the 
The  Sacramento  p'^co  of  trade  in  Vanity  Fair,  where  the 
horse  market.  ancient  Pilgrim  and  his  friends  .-tirred  up  such 
a  commotion  ;  as  was  written  about,  two  hundred  years  ago. 
Here  were  hundreds  of  men  of  all  tongues,  peoples,  and 
nations,  [of  all  varieties  of  colors,  dresses,  and  features. 
Here  were  oxen,  horses,  and  mules,  of  all  sizes,  ages,  and 
descriptions.  Here,  were  wagons,  yokes,  chains,  saddles, 
bridles,  blankets,  spurs,  whips,  and  halters.  All  for  sale,  at 
public  vendue.  Dogs,  swine,  kittens,  and  rabbits,  were  to  be 
bad  by  private  agreement.  There  were  four  men,  mounted  on 
blocks,  divested  of  their  coats,  who  were  auctioneering, 
each  his  own  property  in  live  stock,  and  crying  their  bids 
and  setting  forth  the  qualities  of  their  animals,  in  the  very 
loudest  tones,  and  so  overwhelming  each  other,  as  not 
always  to  be  tible  to  hear  th(Mnsel'^es.  Others  were  riding 
their  animals  about  to  show  them  off,  and  calling  for  bids  as 
they  sat  in  the  saddles.  Others  still,  were  mounted  upon 
wagons  in  the  street,  and  were  bellowing,  and  shouting,  and 


163  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

frothing  at  the  mouth,  in  trying  to  sell  out  team  and  vehicle 
together,  as  they  stood  where  they  might  be  examined. 

Large,  two  storied  buildings  occupied  the  corner  lots  ;  all 
full  of  windows,  above  and  below ;  having  piazzas,  stoops, 
baliLstradc.<i,  and  lattice  work  railings,  on  the  two  fronts. 
The  corner  which  Were  painted  gaudily.  The  whole  of 
•tands.  jjjg  lower  floors  were  devoted  to   saloons  for 

drinking,  sporting,  and  gaming.  Stands  for  cake,  coffee, 
and  punch,  were  on  the  two  opposite  corners,  were  inserted 
into  every  crevice  in  the  vicinity,  and  were  trundled 
about  on  wheels,  keeping  company  witli  nut,  fruit,  and 
candy  pedlers. 

Overshadowing  the  crowd,  on  either  side  of  the  street, 
stood  two  venerable  old  oaks,  that  leaned  toward  each 
other,  till  tjicir  branches  met  above  the  centre  of  the  street. 
The  irces  near  -^  ^i^^lc  Way  south  of  these  trees,  stood  a 
*'^'"  sycamore,  one   of  whose   limbs   had    carried 

weight  in  the  person  of  Hoe,  a  gambler,  who,  in  shooting  at 
a  victim,  had  killed  a  man  that  was  passing  by.  He  was 
tried  by  a  citizens'  jury,  and  hung  the  same  night,  by  torch 
light.  This  was  in  February,  1851  ;  and  Hoe  was  the  first 
man  hung  in  Eiubanknient,  but,  unhappily,  not  tha  last. 

"When    Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  had  looked  on  awhile, 

to  their  very  great  amusement,  if  not  instruction,  they  were 

Tiiey  go  one  joined   by    Mr.   Sharp  again,    and   retired,  a 

side  t(i  he  rid  of  ,  ,     .  . 

the  din.  sliort  distance,    to  a  spot  whero  then*  voices 

could  be  heard ;  for  what  with  pigs,  dogs,  men,  mules, 
horses,  and  cattle,  the  screaming,  clatter,  din,  and  roar,  were 
deafening  to  those  near,  and  might  be  heard  several  blocks 
off.  And  this  they  found  was  the  same  every  day,  from 
morning  till  noon  :  the  market  being  always  full  of  some- 
thino;  to  sell. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  163 

Pilgrim  now  inquired  on  wliat  principle  the  sales  were 
conducted.  Mr.  Sharp  said  that  the  auctioneers  were 
licensed  by  the  authorities,  and  any  one  selling  by  auction 
without  license,  was  liable  to  pay  a  fine.  The  auctioneers 
received  about  ten  per  cent,  coramission  when  they  sold 
stock  for  others.  They  were  much  in  the  habit  of  buying 
Peter  Funks' oc-  at  private  sale,  and  selling  at   auction.     Of 

cupation  not  vet  i  i      i     • 

gone.  ■      course,  when    men    sold  their  own    property, 

they  must  have  their  own  bidders,  to  run  the  animals  up  to 
paying  prices,  or  to  buy  them  in.  That  practice  would 
account  for  the  occurrence,  sometimes  witnessed,  of  the  sale 
of  the  same  animal  two  or  three  times  in  a  day,  when  times 
were  dul',  and  bidding  was  slow. 

In  another  wa}'',  the  same  animals  were  often  sold,  and 
the  purchasers  too.  Men  not  skilled  in  that  kind  of  trade, 
would  buy  innocently,  and  pay  for  horses,  without  getting 
any  bill  of  sale,  or  warranty,  from  responsible  parties.  Ere 
they  could  get  the  animals  purchased  away  from  the  market, 
Purchasing     at  souic    pcrsou   would   reclaim    them,  on    the 

more  risks  than 

one.  ground  that  they  had  been  stolen  from  him, 

as  he  could  prove  property  by  bill  of  sale,  or  by  brand. 
So  they  would  lose  their  money.  In  a  day  or  two  the 
same  horses  would  be  knocked  oif  to  another  innocent 
purchaser,  and  be  reclaimed  again.  Without  some  warranty, 
no  one  could  be  sure  he  was  not  buying  a  stolen  horse,  or, 
at  least,  one  he  could  not  retain. 

And  then  there  was  a  large  business  done  by  some  in 
receiving  stolen  horses  and  altering  the  brands ;  so  that  when 
a  claimant  came  he  could  identify  the  horse  every  way, 
except  in  the  very  important  matter  of  the  brand.  There 
were  those  in  the  community  who  had  copies  of  all  the 
brands   in   use    on  the  large  ranches  in  various   sections. 


164  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Brands  and  their  They  would  take  thcse  and  have  them  so 
"***■  changed,  by  additions,  in  makini^  new  irons,  as 

to  take  in  the  whole  of  tlio  ohl  brands,  and  yet  make  tlie  new 
ones  very  different.  They  could  alter  them,  too,  in  other 
ways,  which  he  would  not  mention  now.  But  it  was  easy  to  see 
how  those,  who  had  a  taste  that  way,  could  jockey  people  out 
of  their  money,  even  in  so  open  and  honest  a  place  as 
the  equine  mart. 

They  li;id  gone  westward  hut  a  few  paces  before  they 
cneounterv."]  the  national  odor  of  the  Chines:^,  and  observed 
that  they  were  on  the  border  of  little  China,  or  Hong 
Kong.  For  two  blocks,  almost,  these  children  of  the  sun 
<ind  moon  were  in  possession  of  the  buildings,  of  every 
description.  They  had  trading  houses,  lodging  houses, 
carpenter  shops,  restaurants,  gambling  rooms,  and  brothels ; 
and  were,  many  of  them,  evidently  getting  into  "fast" 
Tiie  rhiiiirpii  of  ways.     Soiuc  worc  their  hair,  and    had   gar- 

the  east  tr;iiisl'.-r-  .  .  \  ° 

rod  to  the  west,  ments  on,  precisely  like  Americans.  Others 
had  made  less  progress,  and  retained  the  long  appendage 
coiled  up  in  the  hat,  but  let  the  hair  grow  naturally  on 
the  rest  of  the  head.  Some  had  got  so  far  as  to  wear 
shirts  ;  and  some,  only  to  wearing  boots.  Those  who  wore 
corn  fans  on  their  heads,  dangled  long  queues,  dragged 
wooden  shoes  at  their  heels,  and  carried  small  fans  about  in 
their  hands,  were  such  as  had  recently  arrived,  or  had  not 
yet  worn  out  their  old  clothes.  The  bui'dings  were  swarm- 
ing with  them.  How  they  all  managed  to  live  and  prosper, 
no  one  knew.  As  not  one  of  themselves  knew  aught  of 
Chinese,  they  could  talk  with  none,  except  to  pass  the 
usual  salutations,  and  daily  compliments. 

When  Pilgrim  inquired  about  their  habits,  and  general 
behavior,  3Ir.  Sharp  said  they  were  reported  to  be  much 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  165 

better  than  tliey  really  were.  The  idea  that  they  were 
peculiarly  neat  and  tasteful  was  seen  to  be  false.  Their  honesty 
and  truthfulness  it  would  not  be  best  to  boast  of.  They 
Habits  and  ciii-  Were  usually  quiet  and  industrious ;  but  had 
toms,  and  tastes-  ^^^^  ^^^  learned  to  obscrvc  any  Sabbath,  and 
were  troublesome  on  that  day.  They  occasionally  had  a 
spree,  a  hurra,  and  buincd  bushels  of  fire  crackers.  As  a 
novelty,  they  would  try  a  ride  on  horseback,  at  which  they 
made  an  awkward  figure.  Very  likely,  the  animal  they 
bought  cheap  at  the  market,  was  a  vicious  one,  and  played 
them  a  trick  ;  and  they  managed  to  sell  him  to  the  next  one 
that  came  along,  whose  olive  was  yet  green.  On  the  whole, 
they  were  quite  human,  and  somewhat  heathen. 

The  travelers  had  now  come  to  the  line  of  recent 
Phrenix  build-  improvements.  There  was  a  tall  Phoenix  of 
"^^^'  wood,  on  the  left,  and  a  three  story  Phoenix 

of  brick,  on  the  right,  with  a  twist  in  the  black  letters 
of  the  tablet,  as  though  the  graver  was  troubled  with  a 
squint.  Both  of  the  corners  beyond  were  built  in  hand- 
some style,  and  the  stores  were  filled  with  immense  stocks 
of  stoves,  hardware,  and  tin ;  enough,  it  would  seem, 
to  yield  the  possessors  handsome  fortunes,  when  the  stocks 
were  cleared  out. 

Having  passed  by  another  block,  indifferently  built,  but 
beginning  to  fall  in  with  the  march  of  improvement,  they 
came  to  one  that  was  solidly  built  with  brick,  and  fire  proof, 
as  was  supposed,  on  the  left,  and  partially  so,  on  the 
right.  The  fronts  of  those  warehouses  were  finely  finished  ; 
and  the  whole  wore  an  imposing  aspect,  and  betokened 
enterprise  and  prosperity,  of  no  common  sort.  In  this 
vicinity  were  held  the  courts  of  certain  justices  of  the  peace, 
the  "  levees"  of  the  Recorder,  the  meetinars  of  the  Council, 


166  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

and  the  consultations  of  the  Mayor.  Over  acjainst  a  cortaia 
Station  house  prititin;^  officc  'WRS  a  stuccoed  huihlinjr,  useda.s 
a  station  hou«e,  vfhere  were  the  head  quartoi-s  of  the  police. 
As  they  came  up  to  this  building,  there  issued  from  it,  in 
regular  file,  a  haivi  of  men,  who  stepped  short,  and  whose 
chains  clanked  with  every  step.  They  were  men  of  white, 
red,  yellow,  and  black  ;  keeping  up  no  artificial  distinctions. 

In  reply  to  Keep  Faith's  inquiry,  Mr.  Sharp  said,  this 
Oiain  gang.  was  tlio  Celebrated  chain  gang,  an  institution 
which  all  minor  offendei-s,  and  those  guilty  of  larcenies,  and 
so  on,  were  obliged  to  enter,  and  support  themselves, 
by  stump  digging,  road  mending,  levee  repairing,  and  other 
useful  employments,  under  the  direction  of  the  mayor,  and 
the  chief  of  the  police.  It  had  been  resorted  to  as  a 
substitute  fur  a  penitentiary,  and  was  useful  in  its  way  ; 
though  objectionable  in  many  respects,  since  those  who 
once  got  in  were  very  likely  to  get  in  again.  It  did  not 
answer  the  purpose  of  a  reform  school ;  they  were  too  mucli 
exposed  to  observation. 

They  now  went  over  a  few  rods  of  planked  road,  that 
covered  a  slough,  and  came  upon  the  street  that  fronted  the 
river.  They  were  attracted  by  the  sound  of  "  give  us  a 
bid,  going,  going,  can't  dwell,  no  price  at  all,  gentlemen, 
Auction  &  com-  S^^'^^S^  gouc,"  from  thc  lips  of  a  famous 
jiussion  stores.  ;xuctioneer,  who  was  sotnotimes  facetious. 
They  were  amused  and  instructed  by  what  they  saw  in  the 
faces  and  manners  of  the  buyers  ;  by  the  way  in  which  some 
would  bid  who  never  seemed  to  buy ;  by  the  droll  assort- 
ments which  others  secured ;  and  by  the  doings  of  those 
•wto  seemed  to  take  no  interest  in  anything  that  was  going 
First  rate  custo-  on,  till  the  wines  and  liquors  were  up,  when 
*"*'*■  they  were   on   the  alert   at   once,  and  very 


THE    CALIFORXIA    PILGRIM.  167 


anxious  to  taste  the  samples,  and  would  bid  while  there  was 
no  danger  of  getting  it  knocked  down  to  them.  When  the 
vend()r  had  rather  keep  the  article  than  not,  he  might  strike 
it  off  to  one  of  these  constant  visitors,  knowing  well  that  it 
would  not  be  called  for,  and  he  could  put  it  up  again  under 
more  favorable  circumstances. 

They  visited  other  auction  marts,  further  down,  and 
busied  themselves  in  looking  over  some  invoices  of  books 
they  found,  and  other  valuable  things,  which  they  had  a 
liking  for ;  Mr.  Sharp  Saying,  that,  as  a  professional  man, 
and  a  lover  of  literature,  he  intended  to  have  the  finest 
Libraries  and  library  in  the  city  ;  if  his  wore  not  so  already, 
literature.  rpj^^  booksellers,  however,  had  not  encourage- 

ment enough  yet  to  ke^p  large  assortments  of  books,  of  the 
better  class ;  since  much  of  the  demand,  from  the  country, 
was  for  cheap  publications,  trashy  novels,  filthy  picture 
books,  and  such  volumes  as  had  no  permanent  value,  and 
men  could  handle  roughly,  and  throw  away  after  perusal ; 
and,  therefore,  it  took  many  months  to  fill  one's  shelves,  as 
he  desired  to  have  them  filled. 

The  sun  was  now  past  his  meridian,  and  the  number  of 
men  along  the  levee  was  rapidly  augmenting.  The  draymen 
had  been  hard  at  work  all  tlie  forenoon,  but  had  only 
succeeded  in  removing  a  part  of  the  immense  freights  that 
had  been  landed  since  morning.  These  goods  were  piled 
up,  here  and  there,  and  nearly  intercepted  the  passage  of 
people  on  foot.  Three  steamboats,  with  flags  and  pennons 
flying,  lay  moored  beside  their  respective  storeships,  their 
pipes  smoking  furiously.  The  combination  was  broken  up, 
The  levee,  and  ^^^  ^^^  v^ere  carrying  at  the  lowest  rates  that 
the  steamboats.  j.^^„q^  ^bove  nothing.  The  runners  had  been 
going  out  through  the  city  all  the  forenoon,  and  now  were 


168  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

posted  on  tlie  cinbankinent,  thrusting  tickets  at  everybody, 
and  crying  up  the  merits  and  superiorities  of  their  favorite 
craft.  Occasionally,  they  would  meet  for  a  wordy  set  to, 
and  entertain  the  crowd  around  with  their  wit,  scandal,  and 
blackguard.  Sometimes  they  kept  their  tempers,  and 
sometimes  they  were  angry  and  inclined  to  be  bellicose, 
and  were  in  danger  of  giving  over  the  war  of  words  for  one 
of  blows.  Now  and  then,  a  Chinaman,  or  a  Mexican,  falling 
between  them,  was  in  danger  of  lo.siug  his  clothes,  or  having 
his  blankets  and  traps  taken  to  one  boat,  while  he  was 
Acaseofembar-  huriied  off  to  the  othcr.  Occasionally  an 
rassinent.  u  ijouggt  miner,"  or    some    verdant  stranger, 

about  to  go  on  one  boat,  would  stop,  and  hesitate  painfully, 
at  the  soleum  and  disinterested  assurance  of  the  runner  of 
another,  that  the  boat  would  sink,  could  never  perform  the 
trip,  her  boiler  was  nothing  but  patches,  had  holes  in  it  as 
big  as  his  leg,  he  had  better  go  to  one  that  was  fast  and 
sure  ;  while  runner,  number  two,  got  him  by  the  arm  and 
told  him  this  boat  was  all  right,  and  bade  runner,  number 
one,  "  dry  up,"  and  go  about  his  business,  and  get  his  face 
bleached. 

The  more  the  bells  rang  on  the  steamers,  the  more 
the  throngs  increased,  on  board  and  on  shore,  and  it  seemed 
as  if  half  of  the  town  had  turned  out  to  witness  the  sight 
and  the  race..  There  was,  in  truth,  a  larger  number  there 
Going  east.  than  usual,  for  the  semi-monthly  departure  of  the 
ocean  steamships  was  at  hand,  and  old  residents,  with  troops 
of  friends  around  them,  were  setting  out  for  the  eastern  states, 
and  hands  were  shaken,  and  farewells  were  said,  on  every 
side,  for  many  minutes ;  and  these  things  ceased  only 
when  the  bells  were  tolling,  and  the  express  wagons  came 
dashing  up  the  slope  of  the  embankment,  with  their  boxes 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM, 


169 


and  bags,  containing  thousands  of  treasure,  and  their  mail 
Express  matter,  bags,  filled  with  letters,  papers,  and  packages 
of  daguerreotypes,  jeweliy,  gold  and  quartz  specimens, 
flower  seeds,  and  poetry.  Then  the  boats  moved  off,  under 
full  head",  of  steani,  and  with  flying  colors,  while  hats  and 
handkerchiefs  waved  ;  and  in  five  minutes  they  had  dashed 
around  the  point,  and  were  out  of  sight. 

Mr.  Sharp  said,  tliose  steamers  were  the  pride  of  their 
officers,  and  of  the  people  of  the  city  also,  and  that  very 
justly ;  for  they  Were  fast,  elegant,  and  commodious ,  and 
could  carry  heavy  freights,  and  make  their  time  very 
promptly.  They  were  skilfully  managed,  and  hardly  a 
serious  accident  iiad  befallen  one  of  them,  in  the  three 
years  they  had  been  running  in  these  waters ;  and  hundreds 
were  carried  in  them  every  day,  with  speed,  and  comfort, 
r  .u    and  safety.     The   ao;ents   were    capable   and 

Agents      of    tnc  •/  •- 

lines  of  steamers,  ppp^j^r  men  ;  and  the  community  in  Embank- 
ment was  fortunate  in  having  the  right  men  in  such  places. 
To  one  of  them,  especially,  the  whole  population,  and  .the 
religious  portion  of  it,  in  particular,  owed  a  debt  of  gratitude, 
for    the    early    and    decided    stand   he    took   in   favor    of 
observing  the  Sabbath.     So  great  had  been  his  influence,  in 
connection  with  others,  that  scarce  a  steamer  of  the  regular 
lines   had   discharged    a     heavy   freight    on   the    Sabbath 
in  three  years.     He  had  resisted  every  importunity  to  break 
over  the  rule,  discharge  boats,  and  deliver  goods,  on  the 
Lord's  day,  except  in  some  cases  of  necessity ;  and  he  was 
held  in  honor,  for  his  course,  by  all  the  best  citizens,  and  by 
those   who   looked   to    the   order,   peace,    and   permanent 
prosperity  of  the  inhabitants. 

He  said  the  result  had  been,  that  the  levee,  instead  of 
beino-  a  place  of  labor,  noise,  and  disturbance,  was  a  scene 
12 


170  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILORIM. 


of  comparative  quiet,  on  the  Sabbath.  During  the  pheasant 
season,  there  had  also  boon  a  rciiirious  service  there,  toward 
Preaching  in  the  cvcniiig,  of  a  Sunday  ;  at  which  hirgc  nttuibers 
open  uir.  ^^^^.^     sometiiiics     prcscnt.         The      earliest 

preachers  in  the  city  took  turns  in  officiating  at  this  meeting, 
in  the  open  air,  under  the  green  trees,  which,  then,  were  far 
more  plenty  than  now,  and  not  a  It-w  were  large  and 
flourishing.  Many  had  heard  the  first  sermon  there,  after 
their  arrival  in  the  country,  and  many  eyes  there  had  been 
wet  with  tears. 

Thence  they  proceeded  up  to  the  main  thoroughfare,  and 
passed  a  block  of  buildings,  in  which  were  several  banking 
houses.  Keep  Faith  inquired  of  Mr.  Sharp,  who  seemed  to 
have  knowledge  of  such  things,  if  there  were  any  "  tricks 
of  trade"  in  that  department  of  business.  Mr.  Sharp  did 
not  know  of  any.  They  issued  no  paper  money,  and  were 
not  in  the  way  of  loans  hud  discounts.  Their  business 
Banking  and  ex.  Seemed  to  bc  pretty  much  limited  to  taking 
bad"b^usiness.  dcposits,  buyiug  gold  dust,  and  selling  bills  of 
exchange.  In  cleaning  gold  dust,  they  could  blow  it  very- 
hard,  but  if  the  seller  claimed  the  sand  and  the  refuse,  they 
let  him  have  it,  and,  in  that  case,  nothing  was  gained  l)y 
hard  blowing.  In  the  weighing  process  there  was  room  for 
deception,  but  it  would  hardly  pay  to  practice  it,  in  the 
long  run,  even  if  any  might  be  disposed  to  try  it.  He  did 
not  see  but  banking  was  about  as  fair  as  any  business  that 
could  be  done.  Men  who  wished  to  overreach  could  always 
find  ways  of  doing  it.  The  men  who  brought  the  gold  dust 
m  their  .  leathern  bags,  would  contrive  to  save  a  penny, 
sometimes,  by  selling  a  part  of  a  lot  to  a  banker,  take  all  the 
sand  and  refuse  matter  from  the  portion  sold,  and  restore  it 
to    their   bags  again,  and  then  go  and  pay  out  the  rest  for 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  171 


Gold  dust,  goods  at  the  stares,  as  average  Just,  at  the 
ciuartz and  sand,  gm-rent  rates.  Ana  some  of  those,  in  former 
times  especially,  who  had  occasion  to  pay  out  dust,  would 
contrive  to  pay  it  out  with  more  sand  and  quartz  in  it,  than 
there  was  wlien  they  received  it.  It  was  a  popular  belief  in 
some  of  the  mines  that,  from  time  to  time,  the  gold  grew ; 
in  town,  on  the  contrary,  it  always  seemed  to  be  the  sand 
that  grew. 

The  next  prominent  building  they  came  to  was  one 
in  which  a  fine  hall  was  devoted  to  Ceres,  Flora,  and 
Pomona,  where  a  fair  and  high  festival,  in  their  honor,  had 
Agricultural  hall  ^^^'^^  ^ept  for  Several  weeks;  and  each  had 
ro^"ecdsmen  &  I'ejoiced  in  the  profusion  of  gifts  and  ofFeriugs 
*^°"^'°  laid  at  her  feet,  and  had  smiled  on  those  who 

had  been  at  so  much  pains  to  add  to  her  realm  these 
new  dominions,  and,  with  medals  and  chased  goblets,  had 
rewarded  such  as  specially  deserved  honor.  The  travelers 
were  glad  to  see,  in  all  this  establishment,  such  evident 
signs  of  improvement  in  a  country,  possessed  of  such  a 
wealth  of  soil,  so  favoring  a  climate,  such  benign  skies,  and 
so,  susceptible  of  the  very  highest  culture,  and  the  most 
picturesque  beauty. 

They  now  went  rapidly  up  the  street,  and  allowed 
nothing  to  interrupt  them,  till  they  came  to  the  handsomest 
Overton  block,  structure  in  the  city,  on  a  prominent  corner,  in 
which  was  a  half  hidden  saloon,  a  splendid  jewelry  establish- 
ment, a  banking  hou.se,  various  stores  for  books,  clothes, 
and  so  on,  and  the  city  post  office.  From  the  windows 
of  'this  end  of  the  building,  four  long  lines  of  men,  in 
Pom  office.  alphabetical  divisions,  stood  out,  diverging  in 
various  directions.  Each  man  in  each  line  was  waiting 
impatiently  his  turn  to  come  up  to  the  window,  and  inquire 


172  THE    CALIFORNtA    PILGRIM. 

if  any  Iiiul  lovud  him,  hail  inLssod  liiin,  liad  thought  of  him, 
Iiad<?stimated  him,  had  disliked  him  enoiiijh  to  send  him  a 
letter.  One  half  were  fated  to  receive  none.  A  few  in  the 
line  saved  time  by  having  newspapers  to  read.  Some  save<l 
their  legs  by  having  stools  to  sit  on,  which  they  hitched 
along  from  time  to  time.  IJoys  with  candies,  nuts,  and 
cigars  to  sell,  were  tempting  others  in  tlie  line  to  buy  some- 
thing, for  temporary  occupation.  A  vulgar,  foul  mouthed, 
profane    babbler  was   sticking   up    election     posters,    and 

A    street    noli-  haranguing  the  crowd  ill  favor  of  (Jen'l for 

'"^'*"'  tlie  rresidency  ;  and   others,  of  like   polities, 

for  lower  ofnci  s.  lie  had  his  auditors  at  a  disadvantage  ; 
for  they  could  not  run  oft"  and  leave  liim  without  losing  their 
places  in  the  line  for  the  po.^t  office  window. 

Keep  Faith  rciiiaiked,  that  if  he  Avere  a  voter  in  Iviuliank- 
ment,  he  should  be  pretty  sare  to  vote  for  one  whoso 
election  such  a  profane   twaddler  did    not  advocate.      The 

friends  of  Gen'l  ought  to  buy  hini  oft",  and  sluit   him 

up  somewhere,  that  he  might  not  so  disgust  his  own  party 
men  as  to  drive  them  into  the  ranks  of  the  opposition. 
Political  cam-  They  hopcd  this  was  about  the  last  of  the  politi- 
paign.  ^.j^i  campaigning.     T  lu-y    had  encountered    it 

everywhere  m  Bustledoin,  and  were  heartily  sick  of  it, 
before  they  met  with  this  kind  of  a  creature,  brazen,  shameless 
and  silly,  who  seized  his  opportunity  to  inflict  a  tirade  on 
hearers  bound  and  unwilling. 

From  this  corner  they  went  soutli,  a  few  rods,  till  thoy 
came  to  a  broad,  low  roofed  structure,  pretty  mucli  deserted 
The  first  "ospei  "^^-  ^^^-  ^^i^ip  Said  lic  had  heard  preaching 
^^^*^-  in  that  place,  many  times.     It  was  built  o^ 

unhewn  sticks,  and  covered  with  boards,  and  was  thought 
very  comfortable  in   its  day.     Several  mechanics  owned  it. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  IT^ 


and  occupied  it  as  a  shop  during  the  week,  but  on  Sundays 
it  was  transformed  into  a  place  of  worship,  and  the  mini^sters 
of  all  the  denominations,  represented  in  the  city  took  turns 
in  oflfiiciating  there,  while  it  was  possible  to  use  the  place  ; 
for  tlicy  were  afterwards  crowded  out  of  it  by  anvils,  buckets, 
bellows,  forges,  tubs,  and  so  on. 

They  now  went  out  through  an  alley,  and  stopped  under 
some  large  trees,  which  still  remained  standing,  in  the  rear 
of  a  certain  engine  house,  with  a  tower  and  an  alarm  bell. 
The  ..rove  of  the  ^^^-  ^I'arp  said,  that  in  the  grove,  which  for- 
coarocjition.  merly  embraced  these  trees,  were  held  some  of 
the  earliest  religious  services  in  the  city.  Rev.  Mr. 
Augustine  had  preached  there  during  the  first  July  the  city 
ever  knew.  He  stood  in  an  empty  wagon.  Some  few 
chairs  had  been  brought  from  a  new  hotel  in  the  vicinity  ; 
the  same  hotel  that  a  year  or  two  later,  in  other  hands,  gave 
notice  by  a  sign  board,  that,  in  it  were  "  llest  for  the  weary, 
and  storage  for  trunks."  A  few  females  occupied  the 
chairs.  The  men  stood,  sat,  or  reclined,  in  a  circle,  on  the 
grass,  within  hearing  distance;  while  the  preacher  disc  jurs'^d 
from  the  text,  "  The  race  is  not  to  the  swift,  nor  t]»o  battle 
to  the  strong,  neither  yet  bread  to  the  wise,  nor  yet  riches 
to  men  of  understanding,  nor  yet  favor  to  men  of  skill  ;  but 
time  and  chance  happeneth  to  them  all." 

It  was  now  toward  evening,  and  th3  travelers  were  weary. 
So  they  wont  to  rest  themselves,  and,  afterward,  to  obtain 
their  supper.  While  they  were  at  the  table,  having  been 
joined  by  Mr.  Antiquary,  they  fell  to  talking  of  the  comforts 
of  living,  and  even  some  of  the  luxuries,  now  enjoyed  in 
Bustledom,  as  compared  with  the  fare  they  were  put  upon 
during  the  first  year  of  its  history.  Then  Mr.  Antiquary 
told  them  how  he  had  an  office  among  the  bushes,  made  of 


174  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

scantling,  palingsi,  and  blue  cotton  cloth,  whore  he  took  in 
i.ivii^  ill  i>riiiii-  ''>^  friend,  Sharp,  to  lodge.  He  used  to  boil 
live  tiiiK-s.  his  tea  kettle   against  a  log,  make  tea,  coftoc, 

and  chocolate,  in  .succession,  but  in  the  same  ve.«sel ;  fry 
salt  pork  and  fresh  beef  together,  in  the  .same  pan  ;  stew 
dried  apples  and  steam  Iiard  bread  how  he  could.  Occasion- 
ally he  had  a  dish  of  boiled  beans,  or  split  peas,  or  a  can  of 
preserved  meats.  Fri^h  bread,  milk,  butter,  eggs,  and  the 
like,  were  things  unknown,  lb'  afterward  went  to  a  board- 
ing house.  It  was  a  duth  building,  of  C(mrse.  The  table 
was  made  b}-  driving  stakes  into  the  ground,  nailing  cross 
pieces  of  board  to  them,  near  the  top,  and  laying  long, 
loose  boards  on  them.  A  breadth  of  coarse  sheetinjr,  torn 
off  the  pro2)er  length,  made  the  table  cloth.  When  one 
strip  had  been  on  so  long  as  to  have  lost  its  original  color, 
.\     fasllioll.^blc  ^^  ^^'•''^  throAvn  away,  and  another  strip  torn  off 

boarding.  Ii.mso.     .,,,j     ^^^^^      j^^      j^^     ^^.^^^  rpj^^      jj^j^^^     ^.^.^.^ 

common  earthern  ware,  a:id  nut  tin,  and  it  seemed  like 
living,  to  eat  from  a  plate  once  u  ore,  and  at  a  regular  table, 
and  not  on  the  head  of  a  bnn  el ;  though  he  did  sit  on  a 
medicine  bo.x,  and  his  feet  w«re  u]  rn  common  earth.  The 
courses  at  dinner  were  remarkallc  for  their  unexciting 
character,  uniformity,  cool  tenipoiature,  and  geneiul  firm- 
ness. 3Iulc  meat  could  not  have  been  more  stubborn  than 
some  that  was  set  before  them,  as  steaks  and  sirloins.  Ho 
was  indeed  an  admirer  rf  the  antiijue,  but  he  was  constrained 
to  withhold  his  admiration  when  it  entered  the  culinary 
department. 

Pilgrim  remarked  that  the  Arabs  of  the  desert  were  an 
ancient  race,  and  they  Averc  said  to  cook  meat  under  their 
saddles,  when  riding. 

3Ir.  Shaip  thcuglit   he  had  been  invited  to  samage  meat 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  175 

that  came  from  that  vicinity ;  but  as  it  made  a  solid  bridge 
over  the  gulf  of  starvation,  he  was  not  disposed  to  complain 
of  it  now  ;  but  he  had  rather  not  revive  the  memory  of  suol> 
dainties.  So  they  ate  their  meat  with  gladness,  and  left 
the  table. 

When  it  was  evening,  Mr.  Sharp  invited  the  company  to 
walk  through  the  streets,  and  observe  some  portions  of  the 
Evening  walk,  city,  at  thoss  houi's  iu  which  they  appeared 
more  in  their  true  character,  than  in  the  broad  light  of  day. 
Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  went  with  some  reluctance  ;  for 
they  felt  more  like  passing  a  few  quiet  hours  with  Mr. 
Augustine,  amid  his  books  and  papers. 

There  were  no  lamps  in  the  streets,  but  the  moon  shone 
brightly,  and  some  shop  windows  threw  their  blaze  upon 
the  sidewalks ;  not  always,  indeed,  where  tliey  were  most 
needed.  They  came,  after  several  turns,  to  certain 
notorious  corners,  on  one  of  the  great  streets,  where  were 
fine  structures,  illuminated  at  every  window,  above  and 
"Remove  thy  below.  The  doors  were  all  thrown  open. 
heV,  and  come  '^^'^  roouis  wcro  SO  au'anged  that  one  could 
rfoor  "of  her  ^'^^K  fi'oui  the  Street,  through  two  or  three  in 
bouse."  succession.       All    were    elegantly     finished, 

provided  with  the  most  costl}-  furniture,  adorned  with  pictures 
"  Lest  thou  give  aud   paintings,  hung  with  splendid  tapestry, 

thine  honorunto  \  _  °  ^  r         J^ 

others,  and  ihy  and    beautifully    carpeted.      Perfumes    were 

\  pars   unto    the 

cruel."  wafted  through   them,  aud  the  soft  light  that 

fell  from  astrals  gave  the  whole  scene  an  air  of  enchantment. 
Moving  about,  within,  were  gay  women,  in  splendid  attire. 
The  pianos  sounded,  and  then  came  the  melody  of   voices, 
•'  An<i      thou  attuned  to  familiar  airs.     For  a  moment,  thev 

mourn  at  the  last        _  '  •' 

«iien  thy  tiesh  might  havc  Seemed  the  abodes  of  innocence 

and  thy  body  are         ° 

consumed,"         and    beauty.       But    they    noticed    now   how 


176  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Hariiii:  mid  gaudy  wore  the  colors  of  the  walls,  the  hangings, 
and  tlic  dresses.  Females  came  and  lounged  in  the  front 
saloons,  talked  unblushingly  with  men  at  the  doors,  aad 
nodded  familiarly  to  one  and  another  that  passed  in,  with 
entire  freedom.  3Ien  occupying  all  sorts  of  stations  in  life 
came  there ;  and  those  of  every  age.  None  were  as  yet 
"  And  say,  how  noLsy  and  drunken,  hut  all  the  means  and  ap- 

liavo  I  liuteil  in-  .  •  i    •    i  i  i         i 

struciion,     and  pliaucos  lor  a   midnight  revel  were  at  hand. 

my      heart     do-  "^       ,  ii        •  •  i 

spisod  rei'rooi,"  There  Were  now  crowds  oollecting  in  the 
streets.  j\Iany  among  them  were  bearded  miners  from  the 
mountains ;  and  others,  were  strangers  in  the  city ;  and 
;ill  were  roving  about,  in  (piest  of  excitements.  So  they 
witlidicw  from  that  quarter,  sorrowing  for  the  multitudes, 
young  and  old,  who  were  thronging  the  house  of  the 
And  have  not  "  strange  wonuui,"  whose   "house  is  the  way 

oboyod  the  voice  ,     ,,  .  ,  i  i  t  x-    i         i 

..r  my  teachers,  to  hell,  going  dnwn  to  tlic  chambers  or  death, 
mine  ear  to  them  Noue  that  go  uiiti)  hcr  rctum  again,  neither 
rii'e.'  take  they  hold  of  the  paths  of  life.     She  hath 

vast  down  many  wounded  ;  yea,  many  strong  ha\e  been 
slain  by  her." 

Passinir  toward  the  river,  and  then  turning  a  corner  to 
the  ri'^ht,  they  were  presently  in  front  of  the  most  spacious 
hotel  in  Embankment.  Flags  and  banners  -were  suspended 
The  Orleans.  in  tVout  of  it,  fioni  cords  stretched  across  the 
street,  from  building  to  building.  The  whole  front  was  one 
blaze  of  light  from  lamps,  and  lanterns,  and  illuminated 
whidows.  The  vast  lower  saloon  had  been  tastefully  fitted 
lip  for  a  military  dance,  and  this  they  learned  was  the 
occasion  of  such  a  ])i  illiant  display. 

Mr.  Sluirp  was  addressed  by  a  manager,  who  recognized 
him  and  Mr.  Anti(}uary,  and  he  invited  them  to  go  in.  At 
iirst    they   declined ;   but,   being   urged,  they  went  in  as 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  177 

spectators,  with  the  privilege  of  retiring  at  any  moment 
they  pleased.  The  company  was  not  yet  very  large,  but 
the  dance  was  beginning,  and  they  were  making  up  the  sets 
A  ball  is  given  for   a    cotiUion.     The    ladies     were    few,    in 

in  lionor  of  mili-  .  •  .      i  /.  mi 

tary  men.  .  comparison  With  the  number  of  men.  Ihere 
were  matrons  of  forty  years,  ladies  of  fewer  years, 
suppo.scd  to  be  under  twenty  five,  and  young  misses,  from 
twenty  down  to  mere  girls  of  ten,  who  were  partners 
of  grown  men,  some  of  them  elderly,  in  the  same  dance. 
The  visitors  did  not  tarry  long  They  walked  around  the 
immense  room,  to  view  its  flowery  and  gilded  walls, 
and  splendid  decorations.  Among  the  chandeliers,  that 
helped  to  make  up  the  dazzling  light,  were  some  that  had 
been  hired  from  one  of  the  churches,  as  they  thought,  from 
the  striking  resemblance  to  some  they  had  seen  there. 

They  retired  from  the  scene  of  gay  dissipation,  where  the 
l)eauty  and  fashion  of  the  town  were  assembled,  sorry  that 
Not  well  pleased,  some  Were  present  whom  they  supposed  to  be 
of  too  domestic  and  staid  a  character  to  frecjuent  such 
gatherings  for  amusement,  and  sorrj'  that  children  should 
be  so  early  made  familiar  with  the  frivolities  and  dissipations 
of  parties,  routs,  and  dances,  in  a  land  where  the  people 
were  so  liable  to  the  abuse  of  even  innocent  gaycties. 

They  now  went  out,  and  rejoined  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith, 
who  had  been,  during  the  time,  promenading  up  and  down 
the  street,  and  listening  to  the  various  sounds,  concordant 
and  discordant,  that  fell  on  their  enrs  from  every  fjitarter. 
Going  together  around  the  corner,  they  found  themselves  in 
A  row  of  fash-  fro^it  of  a  row  of  gambling  saloons,  coverJng 
ionabie  saloons.    ^^^  j^^jf  ^f.  ^  ^j^^.j^      rpj^^  Ceilings  and  doors 

were  very  high,  and  they  could  see  inside  above  the  heads 
of  the  crowds  about  the  doors.     In  one  was  a  violinist,  of 


17  S  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


rcuKiikablc  powers,  enchanting  many  with  his  strains,  lu 
another,  was  a  lirass  band,  blowing  furiously.  In. a  third, 
were  vocalists,  with  banjo  and  rattles.  All  these,  and  the 
band  at  the  theater,  were  filling  the  whole  region  with 
contused  and  bewildering  strains  of  music. 

The  travelers  crossed  over,  and  went  as  close  as  they 
could  get  conveniently.  There  were  hundreds  of  men  iu 
every  saloon,  and  the  side  walks  were  also  full  nf  men. 
They  got  a  glimpse  into  one  saloon,  where  were  tables  for 
the  A.  13.  C.  game,  and  by  them  men  rattling  the  "  bones," 
the  vulgar  for  dice;  tables  for  roulette,  and  the 
Tiio      money  attendants     were     shouting :     "  red     wins," 

cliaiiL'tTs  ill  their  ■     ,,    ,,  ■  i 

places.  "  black  takes  it,"   "  now's  your  tunc,"  and  so 

on;  tables  coveied  with  blue  or  green  cloth,  with  piles  of 
silver  and  gold  on  them  ;  at  one,  a  man  with  French  cards, 
taking  people  "by  the  door;"  at  another,  a  man  with 
American  cards,  inviting  bets  by  "  spread  uuts,"  and  by 
terms  technical  in  his  vocabulary ;  and  at  others,  men 
playing  games  that  outsiders  knew  nothing  of.  In  all, 
there  were  a  dozen  tables,  or  more,  in  the  establishment, 
and  around  each  was  its  own  peculiar  grouji  of  men  betting, 
and  men  looking  on,  and  men  who  were  "  broke,"  and  men 
who  would  be  \viser  now,  if  they  had  pluck  enough. 

In  one  of  the  saloons,  perhaps  the  most  magnilicent  one, 
the  lar  held  a  conspicuous  place,  flaming  with  showy  bottles 
and  decanters.  On  the  wall,  over  the  bar,  hung  a  large 
painting,  done  in  oil,  of  one  reclining,  in  a  nude  state, 
raintincs  and  I^  ^^^  handsomely  framed,  and  mirrors  hirgo 
i)iciurtM.  jjjjj    splendid  were  on  cither  side  of  it.     No 

one  could  enter  without  gazing  at  it.  All  around  the  room, 
every  available  space  was  occupied  with  similar  productions 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  179 


of  the  pencil,  and  the  brush,  and  all  were  of  a  character  to 
please  the  voluptuary  and  the  bawd. 

About  the  ceiling,  about  the  walls,  about  the  pillars,  and 
about  the  finish  of  the  wood  work,  with  paints,  and  gilding, 
and  pictures,  the  endeavor  had  been  made  to  give  the  whole 
a  gorgeous  and  dazzling  appearance.  This,  combined  witli 
exciting  drinks,  with  stirring  music,  with  the  sight  and 
Menbe\yii<iereii.  jingle  of  luonej,  and  witli  the  whirl  and  novelty 
of  everything,  induced  many  to  risk  their  purses,  who  felt 
sure  before  that  nothing  could  lead  them  to  such  a  step. 

The  hot  and  steaming  air,  reeking  with  the  fumes  of  rum 

and   tobacco,    came  rushing    out   upon    them,    from  these 

places,  at  every   door,  as  they  turned,  and  took  their  way 

homeward.     On  the  way,  3Ir.  Sharp  told  them  that  a  man, 

A    rrncomre ,  of  tlie  same  sort  as  the  rest,  had  been  shot  in 

snil   a    shooting  . 

artair.  a  quarrel,  in  one  of  those  saloons,  only  a  few 

months  before.  The  one  killed  was  the  aggressor,  and  so 
the  other  was  acquitted  in  court.  A  frivnd  of  Lis  was  near 
at  the  time,  and,  hearing  the  report  of  firearms,  ran  to  the 
spot.  The  wounded  man  was  pierced  by  three  balls,  one  of 
them  fired  after  he  was  pinioned  and  hold  d<jwn.  AVhen  he 
entered,  the  victim  was  lying  on  one  of  the  tables,  yet 
breathing.  A  great  ci'owd  was  collecting  about  the  d(jor, 
and  most  were  afraid  to  enter  for  fear  of  more  shooting. 
The  scene  in  the  saloon,  while  that  man  lay  dying,  was  one 
lie  could  never  forget.  The  band,  up  in  the  musicians' 
box,  still  kept  on  with  its  playing.  Athalf  of  the  tables  the 
games  still  went  on,  as  if  nothing  had  occurred  beyond  the 
kicking  of  a  dog.  ]Men  were  hallooing,  wi-angling,  and 
pouring  out  oaths  and  curses  on  every  side.  A  notorious 
strumpet,  staggering  with  drink,  was  looking  on,  and 
indulging  in  utterances  obscene   and   profane.     And  there 


ISO  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Death  in  a  crim-  ^^'^'^  ^110  who  wa8  trying  to  excite  merriment 
biing  saiogu.  ^y^^l  lauglitcr,  by  the  remarks  lie  maile 
concerning  the  changes  and  contortions  seen  in  the  coun- 
tenance of  this  gasping  mortal,  as  he  lay  there  in  his  death 
agony,  on  a  gambler's  table,  without  commiseration,  with- 
out a  touch  of  sympathy,  without  even  the  poor  taibute  of  a 
tear.  If  ever  there  were  a  hell  on  earth,  he  thought  it 
could  be  like  nothing  else  than  that. 

IMlgrim  inquired  of  Mr.  Sharp  if  there  was  as  much 
gambliug,  in  these  days,  as  foi'incrly.  He  replied,  that  the 
amount  was  about  the  san\e  as  in  previous  years  ;  but  was 
less,  of  course,  in  ju-oportio5i  to  the  number  of  people. 
There  were  fewer  saloons,  bu,t  the  few  were  larger  and  more 
Oaiiibiing  hasa  splendid.     The   money    m:ub  in  gaming  was 

tpiidency  down-  , 

warj.  loss   than   it   used   to    be,  because  the   sums 

risked  were,  now  a  days,  small ;  and  there  were  not  many 
who  would,  at  present,  venture  their  all  u])on  tiu;  turn  of  a 
card.  Sometimes  those  who  kept  the  tables  found  it 
difficult  to  pay  their  rents,  licenses,  and  personal  oxpousos. 
At  least,  so  they  said  ;  and  you  were  no  gentlouiau  if  you 
did  not  believe  what  thoy  said. 

He  thought  there  was  more  private  gambling  now  than 
two  years  ago  ;  and  there  were  also  many  more  billiard  tables, 
and  the  like,  every  year  ;  and  thus  the  forms  of  gambling, 
and  ol'  all  that  kind  of  dissipation,  would  keep  changing  ; 
and  it  was  to  be  hoped  that  the  business  would  diminish, 
somewhat,  with  each  .successive  change  of  form,  and  each 
further  withdrawal  from  the  public  gaze. 

They  had  now  reached  their  lodgings,  and  they  l)ade 
Mr.  Antiquary  and  Mr.  Sharp  adieu,  not  knowing  that 
they  should  soon  meet  again.  They  paid  their  devotions 
and  rested  as  usual.     13ut  they  departed  not  in  the  morning 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  181 

as  they  had  intended.     They  staid  close  at  home  with  Mr. 
Augustine,  and  discussed  various  matters  of  i'.nportance  with 
him,  and  gave  him  such  counsel  as  they  could,  and,  in  turn 
were  instructed  and  cheered,  and  spent  a  glad  day. 

MORAL. 

Conjoined  with  inteinporancc,  licentiousness  and  gambling 
are  the  regnant  vices  of  our  city  and  state.  They  constitute 
a  demoniacal  triad,  cruel,  terrible,  and  monstrous.  The 
whole  outline  of  the  beast  can  not  be  drawn.  Strength  is 
knit  into  his  muscles,  his  sinews  are  lusty,  and  bis  rage  is 
ungovernable.  He  hath  power  over  the  whole  nature  of 
man,  to  blight  and  to  destroy.  Ho  hath  taken  to  himself 
his  power,  and  doth  reign ;  and  many  be  they  that  wor- 
ship this  beast,  and  that  carry  his  image.  On  how  many, 
alas,  hath  it  been  stamped,  who  shall  bear  it  with  them,  in 
their  corruption,  down  to  early  graves,  down  to  depths  of 
infamy ! 

These  throe  vices,  that  relgti  among  us,  have  each  some 
part  of  our  nature  to  attack  and  destroy,  as  neither  of  the 
others  could.  Intemperance  levels  its  forces  against  our 
physical  natures ;  gambling  bewilders,  assails,  and  rains 
our  intellectual  natures;  and  licentiousness  stupefies, 
deadens,  and  destroys  ouv  moral  natures.  And  when  the 
tlu-cc  combine  against  a  man,  how  certain  is  the  iron 
constitution  and  the  most  vigorous  frame,  to  give  way,  to 
turn  livid,  to  swell,  to  collapse  !  how  certain  is  the  noblest, 
the  most  splendid,  and  powerful  intellect  to  recoil  upon 
its-elf  destructively,  or  to  sink  into  dim  and  doleful  eclipse! 
how  certain  are  all  tender  sensibilities  to  be  blighted,  the 
conscience  to  be  blunted,  and  the  will  debauched,  while  the 


1S2  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


taint  and  slioio  of  corruption  film;  the-  heart,  and  rot  it  to 
the  core ! 

Ah,  if  such  as  dwell  far  away,  if  parent;!  and  guardians, 
if  wives  and  children,  if  brotliors,  listers,  and  those  other 
loving  ones,  should  hear  concerning  your  habits  of  drinking, 
your  revels,  and  your  debauches,  would  they  believe  r  If 
they  heard  that  your  evenings  were  passed  in  the  saloon, 
and  that  all  the  proceeds  of  your  labor  and  the  profits 
of  your  business  were  swept  into  the  coffers  of  gamesters, 
deceptive,  d?ft,  and  adroit,  could  they  receive  it  as  true  .- 
If  they  should  be  uiado  to  know,  as  we  too  well  know, 
your  indifferences,  your  delinquencies,  your  sensualities, 
your  gross  infidelities,  what  havoc  would  there  be  of  human 
happiness,  luunan  hopes,  and  human  hearts !  How  wouM 
love  slighted  and  trust  betrayed  turn  to  indignation  and 
abhorrence,  -which  years  could  scarce  abate  !  Beware,  ye 
whose  feet  are  in  these  paths  of  death,  lest,  while  ye  destroy 
yourselves,  ye  dash  many  another's  cup  with  bitterness,  and 
bring  down  grey  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave  I 


LECTURE     IX 


ExcL^pt  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchman  wak.'tb  but  in 


rain. 


It  was  in  these  words  that  Pilgrim  and  Ke?p  Faith  giva 
utterance  to  their  feelings,  as  they  rode  away  from  the  proud 
and  beautiful  city  of  Erabaukraent,  after  their  day  of  enjoy- 
ment with  Mr.  Augustine,  and  after  having  completed  their 
survey,  as  they  supposed,  of  all  its  wonders,  in\'sterie5, 
Ther  leave  the  wickeduess,  and  foUy.  They  left  it  there  in 
m7nt**ne"''3an-  peacB,  sitting  bv  the  glxssy  stream,  the  regent 
**^'  queen    of  the   wide   and   noble  valley  of  the 

western  slope.  The  day  god  was  wheeling  his  chariot  down 
behind  the  mountains,  while  the  shining  dust  roUed  away 
from  the  smoking  track,  and  the  light  of  amber  and  of  gold 
overs])read  the  earth  and  sky.  Gradually  the  golden  light 
changed  to  purple,  and  then  deepened  into  violet,  and  still 
darker  hues,  like  the  blending  colors  of  a  maiden's  hair 
when  the  soft  light  falls,  now  here  and  now  there,  on  her 
auburn  tresses. 


184  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  as  I  said,  that  the  sun  was  set- 

tin2,  when  I'ilLnim  and  Keep  Faith  rode  away  from  the  city, 

In  chargp   of  ^*^*  proceed  on  their  pilirriniagc.     Judge  True- 

judpe  irue.ide,    ^jj^.  i,.^j  j,,^,,^  j^  j,|^  veliiclc,  and  at  his  house 

they  were  to  pass  the  niglit. 

The  dwelling  of  the  judge  stood  Hear  the  famous  Sutter 
landing,  on  the  fertile  margin  of  the  Kio  de  los  Americanos. 
The  lamiiy  of  I'licrc  they  fouiid  the  wife  of  the  judge,  Mrs. 
ti.e  judge-.  f:xeellcnce,  and  her  nearest  relative,  Miss-  Be- 

atitude. They  spent  the  evening  and  the  night  most  cheer- 
fully and  pleasantly  ;  and  it  rccjuired  nought  but  some  gentle 
persuasion  to  induce  them  to  remain  a  day  or  two  longer, 
and  rest  and  refresh  themselves,  ere  they  proceeded  on  their 
dusty  march,  toward  the  hilly  region. 

As  the  new  day  was  to  be  a  high  day,  not  only  in  Em- 
bankment and  in  all  Bustledora,  but  from  the  orient  shore 
Presidential c-  ^^  *^^^  Continent  to  its  Occident;  and  as  they 
'*'^"°"-  might  see  life  and  character  in  new  forms  by 

remaining,  they  were  content  to  abide  where  they  were,  for 
a  while,  and  not  push  too  rapidly  upon  the  future.  So 
they  returned  again  to  see  almost  the  whole  city  in  an  uproar, 
and  hundreds  of  people  in  a  frenzied  excitement  of  interest, 
ambition  and  strife.  The  annual  and  i^uadrennial  elections 
were  proceeding,  and  men  of  freedom,  in  a  prosperous  coun- 
try, were  exercising  their  highest  prerogatives,  as  citizens, 
in  the  choosing  of  their  rulers. 

Tlicre  were  quiet  and  gentlemanly  men  distributing  tickets, 
•nie  vi«iei}y  of  ^^^  there  were,  also,  those  of  noisy  and  sense- 
tne  poiHk,  jggg  giijber,  and  such  as  were  vulgar  and  blas- 

pheatQus  ia  tUeir  speech,  so  that  many  were  disgusted  with 
ihem,  &mA  0O*jJ4  not  but  despise  their  paltry  clap  trap,  and 
Tain  attempts  at  wit. 


THE    CALIFORXIA    PILGRIM.  185 


They  soon  learned  the  truth  of  Mr.  Sharp's  remark,  for 
they  met  him  and  Mr.  Antiquary  at  the  first  poll  they  came 
to,  that  there  is  nothing  so  flat,  stale,  and  unprofitable,  as  the 
givings  forth  of  the  gas  pipe  men,  wlio  work  off  an  extra 
.supply  on  election  days,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  polls,  distilled 
from  the  dirty  residuum  of  the  campaign  papers. 

They  saw  horses  and  vehicles  gaily  caparisoned,  and 
carrying  flags  and  banners,  and  carriages  filled  witl^ 
musicians,  blowing  their  breath  through  sonorous  metal  into 
music,  to  excite  and  inspirit  the  various  partizans  by  national 
airs  and  patriotic  sounds.  And  there  were  wagons  full  of 
j'vocessions.  rar-  "len,  and  the  men  were  full  of  odious  liquids, 
riages,  awd  nm-^ic,  ^^^  ^^le  liquids  w«re  full  of  stimulus,  and  the 
stimulated  were  shouting  and  noisy,  and  hurras  came  up, 
reeking  with  horrible  odors,  from  bosoms  oppressed  by 
distended  stomachs.  Many  more  citizens,  in  truth,  they 
saw  at  their  places  of  business,  quiet'y  and  actively  pursuing 
their  daily  employments,  who  only  took  an  hour  in  the  day 
to  deposit  their  ballots,  and  returned  to  their  avocations, 
conscious  of  having  done  their  duty  well,  and  of  having 
discharged  a  high  trust  manfully. 

In  the  crowds  at  the  corners,  at  the  saloons,  and  near  the 
liquor  .shops,  they  saw  men  in  all  stages  of  intoxication, 
Men  in  various  ^^'om  him  that  cau  daucc  to  a  merry  tune,  to 
moods.  ^jj^^    ^j^.^^  fiercely   fights  the   awning  post,  or 

laughs  a  silly  laugh,  or  hiccoughs  out  the  fragments  of  a 
l)acchanalian  song.  Occasionally  they  listened  to  an  exciting 
debate,  in  whicli  the  combatants  of  the  game  went  in  to  win, 
passing  from  argument  to  wit,  from  wit  to  slang,  from  slang 
to  personal  abuse,  but  just  at  tlie  fisticuff"  point,  were  drawn 
apart  by  the  crowd,  as  if  they  belonged  to  the  canine  family, 
13 


186  THE    CALrFORNiA    PlLGRrM. 


and  must  do  nothing  more  after  that  than  to  growl  at  each 
other. 

Wearied,  at  length,  with  the  noise,  the  crowds,  the 
shonts,  and  the  crasli  and  din  of  hniying  instruments,  they 
lett  the  town  to  its  own  lnili))Ul)  and  confusion.  A  cold 
They  art  away  wind  was  couiing  froui  the  liill>,  and  thev  drew 

frciii  the  Iiiniidil 

;iiiii strife.  their  garments  close  about  them,  as  tliey  went 

hurriedly  away.  They  spent  the  evening  in  their  usual 
manner,  reading,  and  conversing  of  their  jom-ney,  and  of 
their  hopes  concerning  that  delightful  land  tliey  should,  by 
and  by,  enter  upon,  ))y  the  will  of  God,  and  in  the  plenitude 
of  his  grace. 

They  were  a])Out  to  retire  to  their  beds,  when  the  liglit, 
lurid  and  ilashing,  in  the  direction  of  the  city,  drew  their 
They    discover  iittcution.     It  WAS  evident  that  the  town  was 

Embankment  is    <^"    ^''^J    ^^'^    *^"**    ^^^^    ^'^^    ^^^    burning    with 

""  ^'"''  great   energy.     Indeed,  they  knew    it  could 

not  bo  otherwise  ;  for  the  wind  was  now  blowing  fiercely ; 
and,  in  terrific  gusts,  was  sweeping  over  the  plain. 

They  were  forthwith  in  motion,  resolved  to  render  such 
aid  as  was  in  their  power.  They  sought  first  the  places 
where  they  had  recently  attended  worship  ;  as  they  saw  that 
the  flames  were  leaping  onward  in  that  very  direction.  But 
they  arrived  too  lute  to  be  of  any  service  ;  for  two  of  the 
churches  were  already  in  ashes,  and  the  new  brick  edifice 
was  slowly  consuming  from  the  lofty  roof. 

Ere  long,  the  flames  burst  from  the  wimlows,  and  then  it 
was  all  over  with  that  beautiful  structure.  On  every  side 
the  disaster  spread,  and  nothing  in  the  neighborhood 
escaped  tlie  fiery  calamity.  Immediately  they  passed  down 
to  the  Court  House,  and  there  could  see  that  the  church  in 
Sixth  street  was  still  standing,  but  was    in   imminent   peril. 


THE    CALIFORMA    PILGRIM.  187 

Progress  of  the  Tliey  saw,  also,  that  the  safety  of  the  comely 
names.  building  where  they  were,  and  of  the  cottages 

in  the  vicinity,  depended  on  saving  the  church,  for  if  that 
were  destroyed,  everything  must  go  in  the  region  round. 

They  hastened  to  the  ground  in  contest,  and  there  they 
found  Mr.  Sharp  and  3Ir.  Antiquary  busily  at  work,  with 
hosts  of  others,  some  of  whom  they  knew,  tearing  down 
some  low  buildings,  and  passing  water,  to  keep  the  fire  from 
spreading. 

There   were  men  on  the  roof,  there  was  a  man  on  the 

tree  to  saw  off  burning  limbs,  there  were  watchers,  here  and 

One    of  (the  there,  to  put  out  sparks  and    cinders  that  fell 

churches       pre-  „     .  ,  •  ,        ,  .  i         «     i  •     ^     n 

•erved.  on  all  Sides,  With  whirls   of  the  wind;  for,  just 

at  that  time,  the  roaring  of  the  wind.s,  and  the  crackling  of 
the  flames,  as  they  went  careering  and  triumphing  on  their 
destined  path  of  doom,  was  awful  and  sublime;  and  well 
might  feeble  mortals  fear  and  tremble  before  the  glowing 
face  of  power. 

Still  the  work  of  destruction  went  onward,  although  the 
church  was  preserved ;  and  still  they  went  to  perform  such 
deeds  of  mercy  as  they  could,  with  their  feeble  hands,  in 
carrying  burdens,  and  preserving  lives  and  property ;  for, 
strange  to  say,  all  villains  seemed  then  most  active,  and  they 
Strange     beha-  robbcd  lone  woiiicn  of  their  choice  treasures, 

vior  in  times  of 

calamity.  and  none   could  tell  whether    the  face    of  a 

stranger  was  the  face  of  a  friend  or  a  foe.  Many  had  spent 
their  endeavors,  time,  and  money  to  save  their  goods,  and 
then  were  forced  to  the  conclusion,  that  the  very  men, 
whom  they  paid  to  help  them,  had  plundered  them  of  all 
they  possessed. 

At  last,  the  spread  of  the  fllames  was  at  an  end,  and  the 
fires  went  down  for  want  of  fuel  to  feed  upon.     They  looked 


188  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


over  the  site  of  the  fair  city  cf  the  day  before,  and  thirty 
squares  were  swept  bare  and  clean,  save,  as  here  and  there, 
The  names  ex-  ^  hcap  of  smoking  ruins  would  flash  a  luHd  light 
'"'^""  into  the  du«ty  air,  when  the  gusty  wind  fanned 

them  to  a  flame,  and  siive,  as  a  few  tottering  and  blackened 
walls  still  braved  the  fury  of  the  tempest,  or  a  building  stood 
entire,  and  served  as  a  monument  of  the  past. 

^cven  eighths  of  the  city  were  no  more  ;  and  thousands  were 
houseless  and  homeless,  and  stricken  with  poverty,  as  in  a 
moment ;  and  women  and  children  had  not  where  to  lay 
their  heads  ;  and  some,  alas  !  there  were,  whose  husbands 
and  fathers  had  perished  in  the  devouring  flames,  and  the 
The  sorrowful  f^^-'ourge  had  bereft  them  of  all  that  could  make 
state  oi  jiianj .  ^Kq  Jear  ;  and  men  could  speak  of  their  sorrows 
only  in  whispers ;  and  deeper,  and  deeper  still,  was  the 
shadow  of  gloom  falling  around  them. 

The  calamity  came  fearfully,  suddenly,  at  an  unexpected 
moment,  and  when  all  human  effort  was  of  least  avail. 
l^iXciting  and  weai-ing  weeks,  for  many,  had  just  been  passsd. 
Many  others  were  worn  and  exhausted  by  the  anxieties  and 
toils  of  the  day.  Every  countenance  bore  the  marks  of 
fatigue.  Not  a  few  were  stupefied  with  drink,  and  needed 
Untoward  cir-  ^^^'^^  instead  of  having  power  to  render  aid. 
cuinstances.         rpj^^  ^j^j^^  ^.^^  fearful,  and  the  first  look  at  the 

prospect  struck  men  dumb  and  powerless.  All  were  dis- 
tracted, and  drawn  in  different  directions,  by  conflicting 
motives.  For,  how  could  a  fireman  do  duty  at  the  brakes, 
and  leave  his  wife  and  children  to  perish  .-  How  could  men 
save  their  goods  and  stores,  when  their  famiUes  were  in 
danger  of  losing  all  ?  And  how  could  men  think  of  public 
property,  when  they  were  trying  to  save  a  little  remnant 
from  the  wreck  of  their  private  fortunes  .' 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  189 

So  there  could  be  no  direction  and  guidance,  no  concen- 
tration of  human  energy,  no  rallying  of  a  large  force  at  any 
Men  of  neither  needful    point.     Aud   hosts  there  were,  that 

public  spirit,  nor  i  i  .     tp.  /•  x  v  ^ 

charity.  would   not   lilt   a   finger   to  save  an  item  of 

property,  and  scarcely  to  save  a  man's  life.  Others  would 
help,  but  at  such  rates  only,  and  those  in  advance,  as 
scarcely  left  any  choice  between  destruction  and  the  attempt 
to  save. 

And  thus  it  came  to  pass,  that  the  whole  city  was 
destroyed.  The  withdrawing  of  those  who  were  trying  to 
save  their  households,  the  withdrawing  of  those  wdio  would 
try  to  save  nothing,  and  the  activity  of  those  who  were 
trying  to  rob  every  one,  left  but  a  feeble  few,  and  those  in  . 
possession  of  no  adequate  means,  to  battle  with  tlic 
elements.  For  those  elements  Avere  already  scorning  all 
human  control,  and  leaping  forward,  with  whirl,  bound, 
licking  tongue,  and  burning  breath,  into  the  midst  of  ever 
new  scenes  of  contest  and  victory. 

All  this  the  Pilgrim  remarked  to  his  companions,  as  they 
Thev  "uard  stood  guarding  large  piles  of  goods  that  men 
saved  property,  j^.^j  succeeded  in.  Saving  from  the  breath  of 
tlie  destroyer,  and  while  they  waited  for  the  morning.  The 
wind  blew  stronger  and  colder,  and  they  were  faint  and 
chilled,  and  could  scarcely  move  a  muscle  without  pain. 
Their  arms  refused  to  straighten,  and  their  knees  to  bend, 
and  they  felt  that  themselves  also  were  sufferers,  though,  of 
of  this  world,  they  had  nought  to  lose.  But  they  were  glad, 
that,  even  thus,  they  could  enter  into  sympathy  with 
suffering  humanity,  and  testify  their  love  for  their  fellow 
creatures. 

Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  that,  while  they  were  sitting 
thus,  drawing  blankets  over  their  shoulders,  grouped  together 


190  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


amid  boxes,  barrels,  and  liouschold  stuff,  several  men  came 
The  company  ii  "P»  ^"^  joined  them,  and  sat  down  to  rest, 
increased.  Tlicse   Were   bemoaning    their   hard  lot,  the 

late  of  their  friends  and  neighbors,  and  the  doom  of  the 
city.  They  had  toiled  for  months  and  years,  and  now  all 
their  earnings  had  been  swept  off  in  a  single  night,  by  a 
force  they  could  not  resist. 

One  said  he  had  l)een  anticipating  the  doom.  Another 
thought  it  a  special  judgment  and  providence  of  God. 
Various    opini-  Auotlier  Still  thought  there  was  no  providence 

on^    about      the    .  •      i       i  i        i  i  » 

providence     of  m  the  uuittcr  ;  it  had  only  liappened  so.      A 

(iod  in  the  mat-    ,.,,,,  ,  ,   ,  , 

ter.  louith  tliuuglit  there  could  be  no  good   provi- 

dence in  it,  because  the  good  suffered  with  the  evil,  and  the 
churches  shared  the  same  fate  as  the  theaters.  A  fifth 
thought  most  were  dealt  too  severely  by,  and  that  their 
punishment  was  greater  than  they  deserved  ;  although  the- 
doom  of  this  man  and  that,  ami  this,  that,  and  the  other 
establishment,  was  none  too  bad ;  and  if  such  had  been 
singled  out  for  judgment,  all  would  have  been  well  enough, 
and  men  would  have  said  that  it  was  just,  and  no  fault  could 
have  boon  found  with  the  dispensation. 

Mr.  Sharp  said  there  was  some  strange  disagreement 
among  them,  about  the  doctrine  of  a  divine  Providence  over 
the  world.  For  his  part,  he  did  not  pretend  to  know  the 
reasons  of  God's  proceedings  in  his  providence  ;  certainly 
not  always ;  but  he  could  learn  something,  from  inference 
and  observation,  about  his  methods. 

Keep  Faith  said,  we  should  make  sure  there  was  a  Provi- 
dence in  the  matter,  before  we   discoursed  about  it.     Ah 
said  Mr.  Sharp,  are  you   turning  skeptic  }     No,  said  Keep 
Faith,  only  logician ;    and  logic  is    truth,  and  a  means  of 
truth.     You   must   show,  for   example,  that  the  pellets  of 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  I9l 


sugar  in  a  raisin  were  put  in  from  the  outside,  before  you 
undertake  to  show  how  they  were  put  in  without  breaking 
the  skin.  Here  is  Mr.  Mystic,  who  can't  see  that  there  is 
any  providence  in  anything. 

And  never  wishes  to,  perhaps,  said  Mr.  Sharp.  ]3ut, 
however  that  may  be,  the  argument  for  a  providence  is 
involved  in,  it  is  much  the  same  as,  the  argument  for  a 
personal  God,  and  a  moral  Governor,  upon  which  we  will 
not  enter.  If  he  be  a  personal  God  and  the  moral  Governor 
of  the  universe,  he  must  also  be  its  providential  liuler ; 
since  a  providential  government  is  necessary  to,  and 
subordinate  to,  a  moral  government.  The  scriptures  teach 
the  doctrine  of  providence,  in  a  great  variety  of  forms ;  and 
our  observation  goes  to  confirm  the  whole.  He  who  rejects 
this  doctrine  of  a  divine  providence,  can  have  nothing  to 
say,  let  what  may  happen.  There  is  no  one  for  him  to 
blame.  The  thing  has  merely  happened  so,  and  that  is  all. 
There  was  no  design  in  it,  and  nothing  was  aimed  at,  or 
gained,  by  it.  Nothing  was  wisely  directed,  or  even 
unwisely;  it  had  no  direction  at  all.  There  was  no  reason 
fo'-  the  occurrence  of  the  event',  and  he  would  be  unreason- 
able to  complain  that  it  occurred. 

In  i-esp2ct  to  this  visitation,  as  a  sp}?/Lil  p;ovid3nc3  an  1 
judgment  of  God  upon  the  city.  Pilgrim  said  he  had  no 
doubt  it  was  a  judgment  of  God  upon  the  people,  for  their 
sins.  So,  indeed,  were  all  forms  of  evil  and  disaster ,  and, 
therefore,  this  one  was,  in  that  respect,  no  more  special  than 
any  other  providence.  Every  one  had  its  design  and  pur- 
pose, and  was  specially  so  ordered.  This  fire,  he  said,  was 
a  providential  thing,  but  came  about,  as  all  providences  do, 
by  the  agency  of  second  causes.  But  why  all  these  second 
causes  should  conspire,  just  then,  to    destroy   the  city,  was 


192  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


something  lie  coiiU  not  explain.  It  was  so  foiccas^t  and 
preanantred  in  the  divine  plan,  and  human  agency,  and 
physical  agencies,  came  natuially  nito  it,  though  God  fore- 
planned  it.  It  was  the  Lord's  doing,  and  marvi-'llou;!  in  our 
eyes. 

How  well  he  foresaw  all  that  has  made  up  the  history  of 
Embankment,  from  the  very  first !  How  long  he  withheld 
the  stroke  of  displeasure  !  How  long  the  people  hardened 
themselves,  because  judgment  against  their  evil  works  was 
not  executed  speedily !  And  then,  when  the  fullness  of 
time  came,  how  thoroughly  the  work  was  done !  How 
humbled,  rebuked,  and  made  even  contemptible,  were  mere 
human  energy,  and  every  wish  and  will  of  man  ! 

Keep  Faith  said  the  question  had  been  raised,  whether  or 
not,  it  should  be  called  a  good  providence,  since  no  discrimi- 
nation had  been  made,  and  the  good  had  suifered  alike  with 
the  evil,  churches  had  been  burned  as  well  as  theaters,  and 
the  homes  of  purity  had  been  destroyed  along  with  the  dens 
of  pollution  and  shame. 

Pilgrim  said,  no  visitation  of  evil  could  be  a  good  in  itself ; 
Thp  ffoodneps  of  it    must  be  a  calamity,   in  some  sense:  but 

God  in  iho  visi-  ,    i        /~i      i  /.  i  i.i     i  • 

tatioiiofevii.  when  scut  by  God  lor  a  good  purpose,  tliat  is, 
with  the  intent  to  rebuke,  reform,  and  bless  the  sufferers,  it 
was  sent  from  a  good  motive  in  the  mind  of  God,  and  was 
designed  for  good  in  the  case  of  those  on  whom  it  was 
visited,  and,  therefore,  it  was  a  good  providence,  in  that 
sense,  though  a  visitation  of  evil.  In  respect  to  the 
question  of  discrimination,  he  thought  it  was  not  possible, 
in  any  such  respect  as  intimated.  Fire  was  not  intelligent, 
and  could  not  be  made  so.  It  would  burn  a  church  as 
quickly  as  a  theater,  other  things  equal.  And  to  prevent 
it  from  burning  a  church,  when  it  would  burn  a  theater,  in 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  193 

the  same  circumstances,  would  be  to  work  a  miracle  and  to 
override  the  laws  of  providence.  A  fire  was  a  secondary 
agent,  and  must  be  put  out  or  checked  by  secondary  agencies, 
and  a  church  must  be  saved  by  human  exertions,  as  truly 
as  any  other  building.  It  was  the  will  of  God,  iu  order 
to  accomplish  the  necessary  discipline  of  life,  that  the  tares 
and  wheat  should  grow  and  ripen  together,  till  the  harvest. 
Then  would  the  Sf'iiaration  come.  So  long  as  bad  men  were 
found,  they  would  mingle  in  society  with  good  men,  and 
their  earthly  interests  would  suffer  and  prosper,  very  much 
alike,  other  things  equal.  And  Avhile  men  would  have  the 
folly  of  tlieatcrs  and  brothels  iu  the  city  where  there  wero 
churches,  they  must  often  share  the  same  fate  in  the 
midst  of  a  common  calamity.  There  was  much  we  could 
not  exphiin  in  the  admixture  of  good  and  evil  in  the  world, 
because  we  could  not  know  all  the  relations  they  sustained 
to  each  other.  A  calamity  might  sweep  away  all  the 
churches  and  spare  the  dens  of  guilt.  It  might  spare  one 
church  and  not  another.  The  one  spared  might  be  the 
best,  and  it  might  bo  the  poorest.  We  were  not  to  give 
such  providences  too  special  an  interpretation.  If,  when 
Grod  spared  churches  and  burned  theaters,  we  were  to  say 
he  approved  of  churches  and  condemned  theaters,  merely 
on  the  ground  of  that  circumstance,  we  proved  too  much  ; 
for  the  same  rule  of  interpretation  would  compel  us  to  allow, 
that,  when  churches  were  burned,  and  theaters  spared,  God 
approved  of  theaters  rather  than  churches.  We  must  fix 
our  belief  on  what  God  approved  or  hated,  by  the  chaiacter 
and  purpose  of  the  buildings,  and  not  by  anything  which 
anight  befal  them,  in  the  day  of  calamity.  We  must  justify 
(xod'j?  ways,  and  explain  his  conduct,  on  the  ground  of  what 


l94  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

he  was,  and  wliat  he  dlil,  on  the  whole,  and  not  by  any  one 
or  two  particuhir  acts  of  his  providence. 

]Mr.  Sharp  said  the  fifth  speaker  raised  nearly  the  same 
issues  in  another  form.  He  thought  that  some,  to  wit,  the 
coniparativ(dy  innocent,  had  suffered  too  severely,  while  the 
wicked  deserved  the  scourtre.  But,  said  Mr.  Sharp,  no 
man  on  earth  can  claim  much  lenity  on  the  score  of  good 
desert.  It  might  be  that  the  best  of  men  deserved  far  more 
evil  than  they  suffered,  and  they  ought  never  to  complain 
under  the  heaviest  chastisenuMits.  Mr.  Littlcthink  must, 
therefore,  not  presume  that  any  in  tliis  tire  had  suffered 
beyond  their  deserts  ;  all  might  have  suffercid  far  less.  If 
this  were  a  world  of  exact  and  final  retributions,  the  worst 
and  heaviest  calamities  would  always  fall  on  the  worst  and 
ba.«est  of  men,  and  the  visitations  of  evil  would  be  exactly 
proportioned  to  men's  characters  and  crimes,  and  that, 
with  unvarying  and  precise  uniformity.  There  would  be 
no  exceptions.  But  it  was  plainly  not  a  world  of  final 
retributions.  It  was  a  world  of  trial,  growth,  discipline, 
and  formation  of  character.  Therefore  it  was  that  we  saw 
things  as  they  were.  By  and  by,  when  characters  had 
been  fixed,  and  the  trial  was  over,  men  would  be  dealt 
with  strictly  according  to  their  deeds. 

In  the  spared  portion  of  the  city  were  good  men  and 
bad.  The  average  in  the  burnt  portion  might  have  been 
even  better  than  in  the  spared  one.  The  fact  of  their 
liaviug  been  stripped  of  their  possessions,  proved  nothing 
for  or  against  them,  on  the  score  of  moral  excellence,  as 
compared  with  their  neighbors.  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  was  burned  ;  so  was  the  El  Dorado.  The  loss  of 
property  was  about  the  same  in  each  case.  Were  the 
frequenters  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  therefore. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  195 

in  character,  on  a  level  with  the  frequenters  of  the 
El  Dorado  r  When  certain  Jews  came  to  our  Lord  with 
wrong  notions  about  interpreting  events  of  providence  he 
corrected  them  thus :  "  And  Jesus  answering,  said  unto 
them.  Suppose  ye  that  these  Galileans  were  sinners  above 
all  the  Gralileans,  because  they  suffered  such  things  ?  I 
tell  you  nay ;  but  except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise 
perish.  Or  those  eighteen,  upon  whom  the  tower  in 
Siloam  fell,  and  slew  them ;  think  ye  that  they  were 
sinners  above  all  men  that  dwelt  in  Jerusalem  }  I  tell 
you  nay ;  but,  except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise 
perish." 

He  thus  taught  thorn,  that  calamities  and  divine 
judgments  were  not  to  be  applied  solely  to  those  who 
suffered  them  most ;  as  though  they  were  the  most  ill 
deserving ;  though,  of  course,  they  were  more  or  less  ill 
deserving  ;  and  who  among  men  were  not  f  And,  besides, 
said  he,  if  God  always  and  uniformly  destroyed  theaters, 
brothels,  groggeries,  and  haunts  of  infamy,  as  often  as  they 
were  built,  and  visited  indignation  and  wrath,  at  once,  on 
all  base  and  wicked  men,  so  that  sin  could  never  carry  its 
head  aloft,  nor  wickedness  make  a  boast,  nor  riot,  nor 
debauch,  ever  seem  in  the  least  agreeable,  men  would  be 
governed  by  fear  alone.  They  would  not  build  such  places, 
nor  plunge  into  guilt,  because  tliey  would  fear  to  do  so. 
They  would  perchance,  in  these  matters,  be  externally 
upright  and  moral,  not  because  they  loved  to  be,  but  be- 
cause they  were  afraid  to  Jje  anything  else.  They  would 
be,  in  appearance,  virtuous  ;  not  because  they  loved  God, 
goodness,  and  virtue;  but  because  they  disliked  and  dreaded 
wrath,  while,  at  heart,  they  might  be  as  bad  as  they  were 
now. 


lOG  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

The  evil  instincts  of  our  n;iture,  so  to  saj-,  would  not 
liave  fair  play.  Character  wouhl  nut  ilevolop  as  vin'.ler  the 
common  forms  of  expo.sure.  In  short,  the  work!  woiilil 
cease  to  be,  as  now,  a  scene  of  moral  tlipcipline,  and  wuuid 
become  a  place  of  constrained  wretchedness,  on  the  part  of 
men  appalled,  and  not  won,  to  \irtnon.s  conduct ;  of  crea- 
tures, who  wished  not  to  be  good,  but  trembled  to  be  openly 
bad.  Men  were  moral  beings,  and  (lod  had  a  moral  gov- 
ernment over  them,  aud  his  providential  dispensations  came 
in  to  modify  moral  influences,  and  not  to  set  them  aside, 
and,  therefore,  it  was,  that  he  ordered  his  providences  as 
he  did. 

AVell,  said  Keep  Faith,  we  have  heard  how  we  must  not 
construe  and  interpret  the  providence  of  God  in  this  terrific 
visitation  of  Heaven,  may  we  not  also  hear  how  we  ought  to 
look  upon  it.''  It  would  please  me  to  learn.  Would  it  not 
you,  3[r.  Mystic,  you  Mr.  Speciality,  you  Mr.  Littlothiuk, 
you  ^Ir.  Lacklight,  and  you  Mr.  Forethought.  They  all 
said,  that,  of  course,  they  would  hear  Mr.  Pilgrim  and  the 
rest,  till  they  got  to  the  end  of  the  chapter. 

Pilgrim  said  that  when  a  divine  judgment  came  upon  a 
community,  the  whole  community  felt  tlie  conserjuencos 
of  it,  more  or  less  severely.  It  was  a  voice  to  the  whole, 
and  not  to  any  one  part,  exclusively  ;  although  some  de- 
served more  rebuke  than  others.  Eut  it  was  not  always 
KO,  that  those  who  suffered  most,  deserved  most.  They 
might  even  deserve  the  least.  Yet  it  was  not  on  that 
ground,  that  the  visitation  fell  on  them,  as  it  did ;  but  on 
some  ground  which  we  could  not  always,  at  the  time, 
perceive.  It  might  be  because  those  who  felt  it  most 
were,  in  means,  or  in  mind  and  heart,  the  best  able  to 
bear  the  burden  of  the  calamity ;  or  because  it  would  do 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  197 

them  tlio  most  good,  and  interfere  least  with  their  pros- 
perity afterward ;  so  that  they  would,  in  the  end,  feel  it 
least,  as  a  burden.  Grod  had  spared  one  church ;  he  had 
spared  the  one  he  had,  perhaps,  because  it  would  be  the 
least  able  to  rise  under  the  pressure  of  a  heavy  calamity,  or 
because  it  needed  some  such  mercy  to  keep  it  alive  at  all. 
We  might  suppose  this  reason,  or  that,  or  both,  to  be  the 
true  ones,  but  we  were  too  ignorant  to  determine  the 
matter  definitely.  The  judgment  was  sent  on  the  city,  as 
a  whole.  The  community  needed  rebuke  and  chastii^e- 
raent,  and  it  had  come  in  tarrible  severity :  and  thus  it 
was  that  we  must  interpret  it,  as  against  the  whok; 
people,  taken  en  masse.  The  city  might,  or  might  nut, 
be  more  wicked  than  others.  All  of  thoiu  have  suifered, 
because  all  have  deserved  ill,  and  needed  to  sutler. 

Mr.  Antiquary  said  he  had  been  in  tlie  city  from  its 
inception,  and,  certainly,  it  had  been  wicked  enough,  and 
God  had  told  the  people  so  by  tempests,  floods,  and  now,  at 
hist,  by  devouring  lire.  Men  hud  too  .soon  forgotten  the 
previous  voices  of  alarm  and  rebuke.  They  might  not 
forget  this  so  quickly.  They  had  grown  insolent,  proud, 
and  self  confident.  They  had  thought  Embankment  could 
not  be  burned.  They  had  trustod  to  their  wide  streets, 
their  still  nights,  their  well  filled  reservoirs,  their  brave  and 
gallant  firemen,  their  vigilant  police,  and  their  prompt  and 
irresistible  energy. 

But  they  were  now  effectually  taught,  how  vain  were  all 
such  reliances,  except  the  Lord  kept  the  city.  They  had 
done  much  to  provoke  the  displeasure  of  Heaven.  They 
had  loved  and  sought  the  wages  of  iniquity.  They  had 
loved  the  revel  and  debauch.  They  had  gone  to  the  doors 
of  her  whose  house  was  the  grave  of  innocence,  and  had 


198  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


embraced  pollution.  They  hail  traveled  in  coiupany  with 
harlots,  leaving  their  nnsuspeeting  wives  at  home.  They 
had  uttered  oaths  and  blasphemed  God.  They  had  delighted 
in  obscenity,  and  had  corrupted  and  debauched  the  young 
and  innocent.  They  had  loved  lies,  and  defrauded  and 
cheated  one  another,  and  the  government.  They  had  put 
base  creatures  in  power,  to  use  them  for  private  ends. 
They  had  been  worldly  and  selfish,  in  the  last  degree.  They 
ha<l  sold  themselves  for  a  piece  of  bread  ;  while  character, 
manliness,  and  everything  had  gone  for  gain.  Nothing  was 
good  to  them  wliich  could  not  be  coined  into  money,  or  into 
some  sensual  giatification.  They  had  forsaken  the  house  of 
God,  and  retused  to  hear  his  law.  They  had  made  play- 
houses profitable,  while  churches  were  groaning  under  debts. 
They  had  pampered  actors,  and  starved  clergymen.  They 
had  not  only  tolerated,  but  encouraged  any  and  every  vio- 
lation of  the  Sabbath,  quite  too  long.  They  had  drugged, 
bloated,  and  degraded  themselves  in  the  haunts  of  the 
drunkard  and  the  profligate.  God  had  not  been  in  all 
their  thoughts.  They  had  said,  God  doth  not  see  ;  he 
hideth  his  face  ;  he  will  not  require  it.  They  had  account- 
ed gain  better  than  godliness,  and  had  been  "  lovers  of 
pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God;"  and  God  had  said, 
"  shall  I  not  visit  them  for  these  things  ;  and  shall  not  ray 
soul  be  avenged  on  such  a  city  as  this  .-  " 

Alas  !  said  Pilgrim,  that  it  should  be  so  ;  but  as  you  must 
certainly  know  what  has  transpired  in  the  town,  it  is  not 
strange,  that  God  should  visit  their  sins  upon  the  people, 
and  teach  them  that  they  are  but  men,  that  they  have  no 
assurance  of  anything  they  value,  so  long  as  they  disobey 
and  oifend  God  ;  since  it  is  in  his  power  to  take  everything 
away,  at   the   moment  it  shall  please  him  so  to  do.     And 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  199 

thus  they  would  not  only  expose  themselves,  by  their  evil 
courses,  but  good  men  would  be  compelled  to  suffer  what 
they  would  not  otherwise,  merely  from  the  fact  of  dwelling 
iu  their  midst. 

Mr.  Sharp  said  he  hoped  the  people  would,  from  this 
time  forward,  respect  the  Sabbath  and  all  good  laws,  and 
not  go  on  again  recklessly  ;  and  that  in  their  calculations, 
they  would  take  iu  such  an  element  as  the  providence  of 
God ;  inasmuch  as  they  could  now  see,  very  clearly,  that 
there  was  such  a  thing,  and  a  far  more  powerful  thing,  than 
they  had  hitherto  been  accustomed  to  regard  it. 

J>J'ow  I  saw  that  the  grey  light  of  morning  came,  and  they 
were  relieved  of  their  charge.  So  there  was  a  mutual  sha- 
king of  hands,  and  a  separation  in  various  directions.  And, 
ere  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith  reached  the  place  of  their 
abode,  the  sun  rose  upon  the  earth.  But  how  different  was 
the  scene  in  Embankment,  from  that  on  which  he  had 
smiled  at  his  going  down  !  Desolation  sat  supreme  amid 
the  ruins.  Curling  smoke  and  dust  clouds  enveloped  her 
comfortless  throne.  Broken  fragments,  cinders,  and  ashes 
were  strewn  at  her  feet.  And  over  all,  for  a  scepter,  she 
waved  a  burning  brand ! 

MORAL. 

We  have  always  known,  intellectually,  that  the  things  of 
this  world  were  vain  and  transitory.  But  we  have  never 
felt  the  truth  as  we  feel  it  now.  We  never  could  feel  it 
so  deeply  before.  We  have  been  impressively  taught.  Wc 
now  do  know  emphatically  the  emptiness  and  vanity  of  all 
earthly  things.  They  were  ours,  but  they  are  not.  They 
have  perished  in  a  night.     Our  pomp  is  brought  down,  our 


200  THE    CALtFORNIA    PILORrM. 

beauty  is  withered  away.  Yesterday  wc  had  ;  to-day  wo 
h:ivc  not.  IJut  yesterday  we  reckoned  our  wealth  hy  lum- 
dreds  and  by  tlioiisands.  To-day  we  reckon  onr  poverty  l)y 
on?s  and  by  tens.  And  if  wo  liave  no  source.s  of  comfort 
ajid  happiness  other  tlian  thosi^  supplied  by  our  material 
possessions,  we  are  mi'sorable  ami  unliappy  cnouirh,  in  a  day 
like  this,  wli'^n  wc  cannot  but  nnd Tstand  what  poor  provis- 
ion is  made  for  joy  by  ama.ssing  wealth  alone. 

Wo  have  bec^n  proud  and  solf  confident,  and  we  have 
been  justly  rebuked.  We  lookod  on  our  growin;;  city,  with 
its  vast  resources,  its  immense  trade,  its  increasing  numbers, 
its  augmenting  W(>abh,  its  improving  aspect,  and  its  proud 
."Structures,  too  much  in  the  spirit  of  the  ancient  king  who 
saiil,  "  Is  not  this  great  Babylon,  that  I  have  built  by  the 
might  of  my  power  .'  "  And  now  our  "judgment  reacheth 
unto  heaven,  and  is  lifted  up  even  to  the  skies."  To 
insure  us  permanent  prosperity,  to  secure  to  us  the  ordinary 
result.s  of  our  labor,  we  see  that  .something  more  is  necessary 
than  industry,  than  enterprise,  than  energy,  than  watchful- 
ness, than  perseverance,  than  elastic  forces,  than  the  go 
ahead  spirit.  All  these  we  have  had,  and  yet  our  riches 
have  taken  wings,  our  fair  possessions  .  are  laid  wa.ste. 
We  have  thought,  that  with  these  we  were  sufficient  unto 
ourselves,  and  to  our  aims.  ^V'e  were  mistaken.  We  left 
out  God's  providence  from  our  calculations.  We  took  no 
heavenly  element  into  our  business.  And  these  smoking 
ruins  are  the  rebuke  sent  for  our  folly  and  our  presumption. 

And,  then,  we  are  chastened  for  our  sin.  The  curse 
causeless  doth  not  come  Forgetting  our  dependence  on 
(jrod  for  our  success  in  our  avocations,  and  giving  no  heed 
to  his  providences,  we  have  gone  further,  and  have  set  his 
authority  at  defiance,  slighted  his  ordiuanceSj  and  trampled 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  201 


on  his  laws.  Wo  liave  wittingly  displeased  and  afFronted 
the  Lord  of  all.  And  this  calamity  is  the  terrible  reproof 
of  our  wickedness.  It  is  the  rod  of  anger.  It  is  vindicative 
justice.  We  do  not  v?ell  to  harden  ourselves  in  this  day  of 
our  visitation.  It  behooves  us  to  lay  our  foundations  anew 
in  truth  and  in  righteousness,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and 
in  obedience  to  his  laws.  We  must  no  longer  profane  his 
name,  no  longer  desecrate  his  Sabbaths,  no  longer  covet,  no 
longer  worship  gold,  no  longer  embrace  the  polluted,  no 
longer  murder  the  innocent.  If  we  do  not  well,  sin  shall 
lie  at  our  door.  If  we  would  escape  the  scourge,  we  must 
cease  from  sin. 

14 


LECTURE    X. 


Now  I  saw  in  my  dream,  that  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith 
partook  of  refreshments,  and  then  retired  to  rest  for  some 
hom-s,  at  judge  Trueside's,  after  the  labors,  struggles,  and 
anxious  watchings  of  the  night,  wherein  (he  tempest  of  fire 
swept  away  the  goodly  city  of  Embankment,  so  long  the 
pride  of  her  citizens  and  of  the  great  valley. 

They  awoke,  renewed  in  feeling  and  energy,  though  their 
limbs  were  still  stiff  from  over  exertion.  They  were  now 
As  well  as  could  introduced  to  one  Mr.  Stcadyheart,  whose 
be  expected.  dwelling  was  hard  by  that  of  the  judge,  and 
then  the  four  went  together,  and  examined  yards,  gardens, 
fences,  fields,  grain,  and  herds  of  stock,  on  both  sides  of  the 
turbid  river,  shrunk  to  a  little  stream,  that  was  winding 
sluggishly  along. 

They  went  out  also  amid  the  rank  and  astonishing  growths 
that  almost  choked  the  ground,  in  the  low  bottoms,  where 
were  dense  thickets  of  willow,  elder,  cottonwood,  and  various 
Thickets     and  shrubs,  over  all  of  which  wild  grape,  and  other 

grapes  in  the  bot-      .  .  ,.        .       , 

torn  lands.  vmes.  Were  running  and  spreadmg  m  the  most 

wanton  luxuriance,  and  shutting  out  effectually  the  light  of 
the  sun  from  the  teeming  soil.     Here  they  found  men  and 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  •  203 


maidens,  women  and  children,  busily  employed.  It  was  the 
vintage  season  among  these  aative  vineyards  ;  and  the  small 
purple  grapes  were  hanging  in  massive  clusters  from  the 
vines.  Of  the  fruit  the  travelers  ate,  till,  on  account  of 
their  having  become  too  tart,  or  for  some  more  obvious 
reason,  they  had  almost  ceased  from  conversation  on  any 
topic. 

In  another  direction,  they  made  their  way  out  of  the 
bottoms,  through  thickets,  briers,  reeds,  and  tangled  mazes 
of  grass  and  weeds,  and  came  sheer  down  upon  the  ferry- 
The  ferryman  ^^au,  wlio  was  worldug  over,  by  hand  ropes,  a 
and  bis  barge.  load  of  mountain  lumber,  bouud  to  Embank- 
ment, and  working  back  a  huge  load  of  supplies  for  the 
hill  country,  and  the  thirsty  dvfellers  in  regions  where  the 
water  is  too  pure,  and  too  cold,  for  the  purposes  of  civiliza- 
tion, and  needs  a  little  sometlidug  to  correct  its  noxious 
(qualities,  to  take  the  chill  off,  and  throw  down  to  the  bottom 
all  the  earthy  and  deleterious  substances,  before  held  in 
A  medicine   of  solutiou ;    though    it   might   be    a    question, 

doubtful     quali-  ,  ••it!      ,„«,.^ 

ties.  whether    the    matter    so    precipitated    weie 

previously  held  in  solutiou  by  the  water,  or  the  "with  it." 

And  so,  ere  it  was  past  the  gloaming,  and  ere  the  long 
lines  of  loaded  vehicles  had  ceased  stirring  up  clouds  of 
dust  along  the  thoroughfares  in  sight,  clouds  of  dust,  that 
rose  into  the  air,  like  the  smoke  of  huge  steamers,  and  over- 
topped the  loftiest  trees  in  their  winged  flight  of  silence, 
they  came  once  more  to  their  pleasant  place  of  sojourning. 

Now  I  saw,  that  they  prepared  for  an  early  departure  in 
the  morning,  and  left  not  a  thing  unsaid  they  wished  to  say, 
Not  forgetful  of  ^^v  failed  in  the  measure  of  their  gratitude 
kindness  shown.  ^^^  thankfulness  to  those  who  had  ministered 
to  their  wants,  and  to   their  enjoyments.     When  they  had 


204  *  THE    CALirORNIA    PILGRIM. 

kneeled  to  Heaven's  Eternal  King,  and  had  sung  the  liymn : 
"  ^ly  God,  how  endless  is  thy  love,"  they  retired  to  thoii* 
t'onch,  and  soon  were  laid  in  sleep's  serene  oblivion. 
The  ring  of  the  clarion  voice  of  the  crowing  cock,  as  he 
ThP  cock  rrow-  tailed  tho  ncw  dawn  ;  hailed  never  before, 
'"^-  to  be  hailed  never  again,  thougli  each  passing 

moment  us^her  in  somewhere  another  dawn  ;  the  chanti- 
cleer's voice,  I  say,  awoke  them,  just  as  the  first  faint  flashes 
of  the  morning  overspread  the  east.  They  rose  with  thanks, 
and  craved,  silently,  divine  protection. 

They  had  thought  to  step  quietly  out  and  proceed  on  their 
journey,  without  disturbing  the  household.  But  they  did 
not  succeed.  For  Mrs.  Excellence  belonged  to  the  class 
A  woman  of  the  described  in  the  Proverbs.  "  She  looketh  well 
i^cripturcs.  ^^  ^^^  ^^^^g  ^f  Yicy  houschold,  and  eateth  not 

the  bread  of  idleness.  She  riscth  also  while  it  is  yet  night, 
and  giveth  meat  to  her  household."  So  she  met  them,  at 
the  foot  of  the  stairs,  and  invited  them  to  a  smoking  break- 
fast, where  3Iiss  Beatitude,  with  her  ready  smile,  Was  waiting 
in  her  seat,  to  do  the  honors. 

When  their  repast  was  finished,  witli  giving  of  thanks^ 
they  were  invited  to  a  seat  in  judge  Truesidc's  fariti  wagon, 
which  was  at  the  door.  His  business  took  him  a  feW  miles 
in  their  direction,  and  he  could  thus  set  them  forward  a 
The  judge  help-  little  on  their  journey.  They  helped  theni- 
their    journey,  sclvcs  across  the  rivcr,  for  the  ferryman  waS 

after    a  lioniely        .,,.,.,  ,         ,  , 

sort.  still  m  his  dreams,  and  rode  away,  at  a  good 

speed,  from  the  timber  that  belted  the  far  famed  river,  into 
the  open,  arid  plain. 

Their  rough  board  seat  across  the  box  was  much  better 
than  a  single  pole  to  ride  on,  and  it  served  to  settle  their 
stomachs    and    foredoom  all  dyspepsia.     Sometimes   they 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  205 

faia  would  have  gone  on  foot,  for  comfort's  sake  ;  but  they 
A  ride  for  pro-  were   nialdno;   ^ood  progress,  and  would,  no 

press  ratl.cr  than     .      ,        ,  o    o  r      &  )  ? 

i.ieHsurc.  doubt,  havc  experience  enough,  by  and  by,  ot 

the  pleasures  of  self  propulsion.  So  they  kept  themselves  in 
cheerful  mood,  looking  out  for  deep  ruts  and  holes,  and 
making  elliptics  of  their  knee  hinges,  and  talking  when  they 
could,  for  the  noise,  and  without  danger  of  biting  off  their 
tongues. 

Neai'ly  two  hours  were  consumed  thus,  in  passing  over  a 
road  that  ran  through,  here  and  there,  a  timber  grove,  and 
by  the  houses  of  settlers  and  taverners,  when  they  were  set 
down  at  a  famous  pleasure  resort,  in  a  grove  of  oaks,  on  the 
border  of  the  now  dry  channel  of  a  brook.  There  was  a 
number  of  men  about  the  premises,  nearly  all  of  whom  were 
very  busy  in  the  endeavor  to  get  up  an  appetite  for  brcak- 
fa.st,  by  means  of  copious  draughts,  that  caused  fheni  to 
make  wry  faces,  and  to  put  on  a  look,  as  thougli  the 
medicine  were  bad  to  take,  when,  in  fact,  no  doctor  could 
have  induced  them  to  let  it  alone. 

They  had  scarcely  landed  on  the  steps,  when  one  of  the 
bystanders  asked  them  if  they  would  not  moisten,  and 
another  if  they  would  not  imbibe.  They  said  in  reply,  not 
beiug  exactly  sure  they  understood  the  lingua,  that  they 
bad  done  nothing  but  drink  in  fresh  air  all  tlie  morning,  and 
were  not  faint.  Another  came  and  intjaired  if  they  had 
liquored.  They  sai  1  they  were  not  foot  sore,  and  had  no 
need  of  any  such  ap])liL-ation.  Another,  still,  inijuired  if 
A  time  of  an-  ^^^^J  "cvcr  .soakcd  any.  They  said  they  did 
.ious  .oikitude.  ^^^^  ^.j^]^    ^^    anticipate  the   rains,   for   then 

.soaking  might  be  inevitable.  A  fourth  was  in  earnest  to 
know  if  they  would  not  have  something  to  take.  But  they 
declined  taking  anything,  as  they  did  not  wish  to  burden 


306  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

themselves  with  more  to  carry.  A  fifth  would  insist,  that, 
at  such  an  hour,  they  stood  in  need  of  a  cobbler,  13ut  they 
could  sec  no  holes  in  theii*  shoes,  nor  perceive  any  such 
dilapidations  as  a  cobbler  could  repair. 

Just  then,  Mr.  Antiquary  came  out  from  the  dining  hall, 
and  released  them  from  flicir  embarrassment,  in  a  room 
where  men  could  think  and  talk  of  nothing  but  bibbing; 
where  they  drank  to  introductions,  drank  to  farewells,  drank 
to  new  acquaintance,  to  better  ac<juaintance,  and  to  old 
Occasions  for  acquaintance,  drank  to  get  appetite,  then 
taking  a  glass.  j,...,j^j.  ^^  ^lelp  digestion,  drank  to  get  excite- 
ment, then  drank  to  steady  their  nerves,  drank  when 
alone  to  make  company,  in  company  drank  to  make  it  social, 
and,  in  short,  were  never  in  want  of  a  reason  for  drinking, 
nor  able  to  see  one  for  stopping. 

Mr.  Antiquary  explained  to  the  landlord  who  they  were, 
and  whither  they  were  proceeding.  The  host  was  very 
glad  to  meet  them,  and  admired  their  wise  course.  He  said 
his  wife,  originally,  was  from  their  region,  but  she  now  was 
absent  from  home.  lie  insisted  that  they  should  take 
A     drink    loss  somethin<; :    so    Mr     Antiquary    suQ.;i;csted    a 

fiery     than     the       .      ,  °       .„  -r  i  ,  ""       i    , 

colored  liquids,  pitcher  of  milk,  it  was  brought  out,  and  then 
all  was  right  between  them. 

Mr.  Antiquary  told  Pilgrim  and  Keep  Faith,  that,  for 
the  present,  his  occupation  in  Embankment  was  gone,  and 
.so  he  had  come  out  there  to  join  them,  on  their  march,  and 
have  the  pleasure  of  their  society  sometime  longer,  and 
until  he  might  be  more  usefnl  at  home.  So  they  bade  the 
judge  and  his  wagon  a  good  morning,  and  went  on  their  way. 

In  a  few  minutes,  they  came  to  some  stakes,  driven  by  a 
little  foot  path,  that  ran  through  the  stubble,  forty  paces 
apart,  where,  on  a  certain  summer  moming,   at  sunrise,  it 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  207 

The  place  where  being    Monday,    and     all    the    preliminaries 

a       duel      was   ,       .        ,  i  n       i 

fought.  having  been  arranged  on  ounday,  two  promi- 

neat  men  of  the  state  had  shot  at  each  other  twice,  and  one 
of  them  had  fallen,  in  all  the  strength  and  beauty  of  his 
manhood,  a  victim  to  the  absurd  and  cruel  exactions  of  the, 
so  called,  "  code  of  honor." 

Mr.  Antiquary  said,  the  custom  of  dueling,  in  some  form, 
was  an  old  one,  but  it  was  a  thing  much  more  fair  for  both 
of  the  parties,  before  the  day  of  fire  arms,  and  many  modern 
inventions,  than  now.  But  it  was  a  difficult  thing  to  remove 
Not  easy  to  do  the   cvil,  wroug   and   absurd   as   it  could  bo 

away  the    prac.  '  tt    •  i    i      t 

tice.  shown  to  be.     Keep  iniith  had  once  witnessed 

a  scene  of  this  sort ;  but  it  was  attended  with  no  fatal,  or 
bloody  consequences ;  and  then  every  one  sought  to  turn  it 
into  ridicule.  He  could  see  no  remedy  for  it,  except  in  the 
prevalence  of  better  views  of  the  subject,  in  the  community 
at  large,  or  such  views,  as  would  pass  the  duelist  in  silence, 
and  give  him  over  to  oblivion,  so  that  he  could  not,  as  now, 
become  notorious,  and  bo  raised  into  consoquenco,  by 
engaging  in  a  duel.  For,  some  men  would  even  court  the 
danger  of  wounds  and  death,  in  duels,  for  the  sake  of 
notoriety,  and  of  position,  in  certain  circles,  and  for  the  name 
of  braves.  The  only  true  and  eifective  remedy  for  th«» 
The  most  eifec-  ^'^i^  ^'^^5  ^^  course,  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  as 
tuai  remedy.        ^^^  f^^.^j^  j^^  ^^^  gospel,  forbidding  all  forms  of 

private  injury,  and  the  indulgence  of  a  spirit  of  malice,  or 
revenge,  in  any  circumstances. 

Now  I  saw,  that  they  kept  onward,  many  miles,  through  a 
rolling  prairie,  into  the  low  hills  on  the  east  of  the  great 
valley,  stopping,  now  and  then,  to  rest  themselves  in  some 
.sylvan  shade,  or  to  converse  with  a  man  at  his  door,  or  to 
salute  women  and  children  at  their  new  found  homes,  far 


208  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

Salutations  i.y  ^''*'"^  ^^^^^  otlicr,  but  iiot  distant  froiu  the  noise, 
the  way.  dxist,  and  travel,  that  linked  the  world  above, 

among  the  hills,  to  the  stirring  world  of  the  valley,  and  the 
sea  coast.  It  was  late  in  the  day  when  they  descended  from 
a  steep  and  high  hill,  where  were  broken  wagons,  half  loads 
of  goods  on  the  ground,  wagons  with  wheels  chained,  and 
teams  that  had  been  ill  trained,  and  would  not  go  in  the  way 
thoy  should,  drivers  that  went  hard  after  them,  in  the  evil 
direction,  and  used  a  harsh  vocabulary,  which  the  travelers 
were  glad  to  get  out  of  the  sound  of,  and  where,  since  the 
fire,  anxious  owners  were  watching  for  their  loads,  and  were 
ready  to  gather  up  the  fragments,  in  case  of  a  crash. 

Proceeding  on  tlioir  way,  they  soon  found  themselves 
The     dust     of  amid  the  dust  of  Ophir  :   but  it  was  as  black 

Ophir    not    ycl- 

low.  and  unpalatable  as  any  dust  they  had   tasted. 

They  had  not  yet  succeeded  in  picking  their  way  across  the 
neaily  dry  bed  of  the  stream,  amid  rails,  sticks,  and  holes, 
when  they  were  met  by  a  man  with  long  hair,  of  no  color  in 
particular,  a  long,  sorrel  beard,  hanging  over  his  breast,  and 
fertihzed  with  a  rich  admixture  of  tobacco  juice  and  free 
soil,  and  with  a  squint  in  one  of  his  grey  eyes,  who  announced 
himself  as  Mr.  Clay  Monger. 

lie  was  very  anxious  to  show  them,  as  new  comers,  good 
Mr.  ciav  Won-  locations,  and  to  assist  them  in  the  matter  of 
hts  vaiVabi'e'ser-  claiins  ;  for,  of  coursc,  they  would  stop  in  the 
^"^^''''  richest  spot  for  digging  in  winter,  the  countiy 

tifforded.  He  was  extremely  voluble,  and  gave  no  one  else 
a  chance  to  edge  in  a  remark.  He  had  located  thousands, 
and  sold  many  a  claim,  and  his  claims  always  paid.  He 
was  not  a  speculator  on  his  own  account ;  he  looked-  out  for 
others.  He  never  sold  a  claim  in  his  life,  except  on  the 
score  of  benevolence.     He  was  perfectly  disinterested  ;  only 


THE    CALtFORNIA    PILGRIM.  209 

he  had  rockers,  toms,  and  tools,  he  would  dispose  of  to 
those  Avho  insisted  on  having  them.  He  liked  the  looks  of 
the  new  comers  wonderfully  ;  and  they  might  vastly  benefit 
the  place,  by  remaining  in  it  and  promoting  its  good  morals, 
for  they  needed  some  mending. 

They  did  not  stop  to  listen  to  him  long,  for  his  stories 
The       benevo-  hung  together  no  better  than  the  crown  of  his 

lence  is  nut   ap-  . 

i>reciated.  hat  and  the  brim,  his  breath  was  rummy,  and 

they  had  heard  him,  or  some  one  near  him,  using  language, 
ere  they  came  up,  that  did  not  sound  like  that  of  a  consistent 
advocate  of  moral  reform,  so  much,  as  that  of  a  worshiper  at 
the  shrine  of  a  hogshead. 

So  they  got  over  into  the  town,  and  found  it  to  consist, 
mainly,  of  one  crooked,  sidelong  street,  built  on  at  random, 
and  ofi"  from,  likewise  ;  where  ru^vs  of  shanties,  stores,  grog- 
shops, saloons,  hotels,  and  the  tall  polos  of  parties  political, 
managed,  ly  dint  of  some  grazing,  to  keep  the  uneven  road 
A  town  in  the  running  along  between  them,  till  it  came  out 

mines,     capable  . 

of  improvement,  where  it  had  room  to  wind  away,  and  get  up 
from  the  hollow  as  it  could.  They  were  not  prepossessed 
with  this  town,  boasting  so  ancient  a  name,  and  they  could 
not  consent  to  tarry  there  for  the  night ;  th':ugh  it  might  be 
a  rich  and  prosperous  town,  in  spite  of  all  they  saw,  and  did 
not  see ;  for  they  beheld  no  chuich,  no  school  house,  no 
public  hall  for  any  but  money  changers,  and  very  few 
commodious  dwellings,  that  seemed  to  contain  women  and 
children.  They  did  hear  from  some  one,  afterwards,  of 
several  literary  men  to  be  found  there,  of  whom  one  was  a 
graduate  of  a  popular  and  anciant  universitj'  at  the  east,  and 
there  ranked  high  for  his  genius  ;  and  they  sincerely  hoped 
he  might  live  to  see  palmier  days,  and  pleasing  changes  in 
his  town. 


210  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

They  now  went  a  nearer  road  than  the  one  over  which 
the  stage  coaches  toiled  wearisomely,  and,  following  the 
ravine,  toward  its  source,  they  were  not  long  in  reaching 
another  town,  rejoicing  in  a  beautiful  name,  a  name  made 
Ahcaiiiffiiiname  classic  by  tlic  geuius  of  the   man  who  sang 

fur     a      mining  n      i  i    •      <<       t> 

tonn.  the  "  loveliest  village  of  the    plain."     Uut, 

horrors !  here  was  a  town,  miles  away  from  any  plain, 
famous  three  yeais  for  dry  diggings,  big  lumps,  and  rough 
men,  lying  low  in  a  hollow,  and  on  the  edges  of  a  hollow 
scooped  out  by  nature,  at  the  junt-tion  of  a  half  dozen  small 
ravines,  built  so  as  to  craze  an  artist  of  weak  nerves  by  its 
very  grotesnuoness,  and  yet  attaching  its  gokhm  fortunes 
and  unique  structures  to  the  classic  beauty  of  the  muse  of 
(joldsinith.  Mr.  Anti(|uary  said  it  reminded  him  of  a 
neighbor's  mule,  not  a  very  comely  creature,  that  would 
answer  to  no  other  name  than  that  of  Georgiana  Sophia. 

The  sun  was  setting  when  they  reached  the  town,  and 
they  must  perforce  lodge  there,  though  every  spot  seemed 
choking  full  of  red  dust.  However,  Mr.  Auti<|aary  soon 
found  his  old  friend,  Mr.  Thriftwise,  who  welcomed  them  to 
his  cottage,  a  little  way  out  from  the  crowded  assemblage  of 
They  lodjre  out  buildings  that  made  the  town.  Tbey  were 
of  theiown.  wcary  with  the  journey,  and  were  obliged  to 
decline  an  invitation  to  visit  the  places  of  public  re»ort,  to 
see  how  they  looked  by  candle  light,  and  to  learn  the  habits 
and  customs  of  men  who  live  by  their  wits,  of  those  who  fail 
to  live  and  grow  rich  by  their  work,  and  of  those  who  earn 
only  to  spend  in  low  debauch. 

In  the  morning  they  went  out  to  view  the  village.  The 
dry  bed  of  the  main  ravine  ran  through  the  lower  portion, 
which  was  gravelly  and  full  of  pitfalls,  having  been  dug 
over  many  times  for  its  gold,  and  havin<x  yielded  as  much 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  211 

the  last  time  as  the  first.  Around  this  vale,  and  on  the 
The  features  of  adjacent  slope,  the  line  of  buildinus  ran,  in  a 

the  place  as  they  ,      .     ,  ,„,  '""     ,         . 

saw  them.  badly  shaped  circle.      The  center  of  the  circu- 

lar spot  consisted  of  a  clump  of  mean  looking  houses,  with  a 
public  street  on  every  side.  Of  the  character  of  those  who 
occupied  the  locality  no  one  was  forward  to  affirm  anything. 
The  observer  must  decide  for  himself. 

The  buildings  around  were  of  all  descriptions,  and  some 
indescribable,  from  the  log  huts  of  '49,  and  the  rift  clap- 
boards of  '50,  to  the  showy  cottage,  and  the  large  hotel, 
that  kept,  at  least,  an  imposing  front,  if  nothing  else  that 
was  of  that  sort.  There  was  a  large  building  on  the  side 
hill,  whose  upper  story  was  bare  and  empty,  but  to  which 
the  Chinese,  in  a  most  uncelestial  way,  had  added  a  story, 
from  beneath,  by  digging  out  the  dirt,  and  fronting  the  lower 
part  down  the  hill. 

There  was  a  fine,  large  structure,  with  a  saloon  in  it, 
which  had  been  built  entirely  over  an  old,  low,  one  story, 
shanty  of  a  place,  but  a  famous  night  resort,  nevertheless, 
m  such  away,  that  the  old  building  was  occupied,  and  used 
as' before,  until  the  new  one  was  finished  throughout,  with 
the  exception  of  a  portion  of  the  lower  floor  ;  when,  at 
length,  the  ancient  structure,  memornblc  for  red  ddst  and 
for  yellow,  suffered  demolition. 

A  few  trees  were  still  standing  on  the  acres  covered  by 
The  trees,  tim-  the  town,  which  somcwhat  graced  it :  and  the 

ber,  and  general         _ 

aspect.  heights  near  by  could  boast  some  fair  timber. 

In  general,  there  was  a  dearth  of  water,  greenness,  order,  and 
beauty,  and  one  who  did  not  know  the  reason,  would  have 
tried  in  vain  to  think  of  a  reason,  for  building  such  a  town, 
much  less  for  building  one  in  such  a  locality. 

Over  the  point  of  a  hill,  in  another  ravine,  with  a  small 


212  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

rill  of  water  in  it,  they  found  a  dozen  Celestials  learning  the 
art  of  finding  gold.  All  together,  their  force  was  about 
equal  to  a  man  and  a  boy,  but  if  they  obtained  knowledge 
riirsuitofparih-  HO  fustor  tlian  they  obtained  precious  metal, 

ly  knowledge.        ^^^^^  ^^^^.^^  jjj.^i^   ^^    ^^  ^^^  -^^   ^^^-^^  ^^^j^H  ^^,^y^ 

till  they  forgot  they  were  the  children  of  the  sun  and  moon, 
and  wore  their  queues  as  convenient  handles  to  take  them 
where  they  came  from. 

Mr.  Thriftwise  said,  the  town  could  not  boast  any  rapid 
growth  since  the  famous  year  of  '49,  though  it  was  not 
without  progress.  It  was  the  seat  of  justice  for  the 
county,  a  county  as  long  and  narrow,  in  its  proportions,  as  a 
slice  of  rye  bread  ^down  cast ;  but,  as  yet,  justice  had  no 
temple  among  them,  other  than  a  split  shingle  shanty,  with 
The  halls  of  jus-  '^  painted  front,  and  so  she  dwelt,  of  necessity, 
""^'''  much   retired ;  few,  but  the   lawyers,    being 

able  to  find  her.  The  law  had  advocates  enough,  in  their 
community,  but  the  gospel  found  few  supporters.  There 
was  neither  church  nor  j^arsonage  built,  and  their  stated 
preaching  had  been  only  semi-occasionul.  Political  ineet- 
ings,  and  conventions,  always  assembled  on  Saturday,  so  as 
to  improve  Sunday,  when  it  was  needed,  and  some  body 
would  co.i;e  forward  to  talk  politics.  More  than  one 
Political  con-  Candidate  for  office  had  recently  given  them 
snndaTspeech!  ^  Sunday  speech  ;  showing,  by  their  conduct, 
**■  how  much  easier  it  was  to  throw  religion  out  of 

polities,  than  to  take  such  an  element  in,  especially  when 
one  wished  to  go  to  Congress. 

They  had  an  independent  paper,  which,  belonging  to  no 
party,  must,  of  course,  favor  both  ;  and,  being  independent, 
must  never  censure  any  one,  for  fear  of  losing  his  patronage. 
As  to  employing  anything  else    than   the   most  flattering 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  213 

language  and  choice  compliments  towards  the  people  and  the 
town,  it  would  not  do.     People  did   not  support  a  paper  to 

Independent  ^cll  them  their  faults,  correct  their  morals,  and 
newspaper.  improve  their  manners,  their  habits,  and  their 

homes.  If  the  citizens  could  not  be  flattered  by  their  own 
paper,  as  the  most  energetic,  prosperous,  virtuous,  refined, 
literary,  tasteful  and  pious  people  in  the  known  world,  why, 
then  they  would  kick  the  independent  journal  out  of  their 
houses,  because  it  was  getting  above  its  business.  It  was  so 
in  more  places  than  one  in  Bustledom. 

Pilgrim  iu(]uired,  if  those  who  were  freshly  come  from  the 
cast  were  not  shocked  by  the  vain,  irreverent,  and  godless 
habits  and  practices  of  the  people,  and  if  it  did  not  take  a 
long  time  for  them  to  get  to  thinking  and  acting  in  the  same 
way  as  those,  who,  from  being  better  men,  had  grown  pro- 
New  comers  are  fane,   and    outlandish   in   dress,    speech    and 

not    always  the  _  _  _        _  '^ 

best    and    the  beliavior.     ]Mr.  Thriftwise   said   it   was   easy 

most        reliable  ... 

men.  always   to    distinguish   a  new  comer,  but  not 

commonly  in  that  way.  Those  who  came  intending,  at  all 
hazards,  to  keep  a  good  character,  would  do  so,  even  in  the 
worst  circumstances;  but  such  as  came  ignorantly,  and 
thoughtlessly,  in  respect  to  such  things,  were  very  often 
overpowered  by  temptations,  and  carried  away  by  excite- 
ment, and  by  the  examples  of  companions  and  old 
acquaintances. 

There  was  still  another  class,  who  came  from  home  ready 
to  engage  in  anything  that  would  pay,  no  matter  what. 
They  were  debauched  before  coming  here,  and  their  evil 
Some  spoiled  be-  '"'^-js  wcrc  uot  chargeable  on  California,  only  as 
for%he^iand°of  shc  furnished  them  opportunities  for  doing 
^°''^'  things   they   were   long  ago  ready  to  do,  but 

were  afraid  to  do,  till  they  got  away,  far  from  their  own  and 


214  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

old  homes.  He  could  toll  an  incident  of  his  recent 
experience.  A  youns  man  had  called  on  liiui  several  times 
\vithout  finding  him  at  home.  When  he  did  see  him,  all  he 
wished  was,  to  know  what  he  should  go  to  doinc^.  He  had 
A  hopeful  citi-  ^^^^^^  three  weeks  in  the  state,  and  had  spent  his 
'"'"■  last  hundred  dollars  in  looking  hiin  up,  in  order 

to  know  what  to  do. 

Mr.  Thriftwise  said  he  felt  indignant,  that  such  a  man, 
whom  he  had  scarcely  known,  years  before,  and  whose 
character  he  did  not  admire  then,  should  come  to  him,  like 
a  mere  child,  to  ask  what  to  do.  He  determined  to  test  and 
sound  hiin.  So  he  took  him,  confidentially,  up  stairs,  and, 
speaking  in  whispers,  asked  him  if  he  were  quick,  and  sly, 
and  could  keep  a  secret.  He  presumed  he  was  gifted  in 
those  ways.  Then,  said  I,  the  most  profitable  business  done 
in  Bustledom  is  stealing.  Stealing,  said  he,  is  it  possible  ? 
Startling  propo-  stealing  what  r  Oh,  said  I,  stock,  goods,  gold 
^''''*'  dust,  any  thing,     llegular  business  ;  organized 

parties ;  depots  all  about  the  country.  But,  said  he,  is  it 
considered  legitimate  .' is  there  no  danger:  I  replied,  we 
don't  think  of  legitimacy  ;  only  of  the  profits  ;  it  pays  well ; 
that  is  all. 

Of  course,  there  is  danger.  If  yon  are  caught,  your 
neck  is  stretched.  You  must  look  out  for  that,  llomember, 
when  you  are  at  it,  "that  dead  men  tell  no  tales."  He 
shook  his  head,  and  hesitated.  But,  what  pay  am  I  sure 
of.'  said  he.  Xot  less  than  a  thousand  dollars  per  month  ; 
and,  if  you  are  expert,  and  never  caught,  a  good  deal  more. 
lie  consent?  to  ^^  is  what  I  ncvcr  thought  of,  said  he,  but,  at 
fnVbu°;neVs1n't  those  rates,  it  will  pay^  well.  I'll  go  in,  and 
will  pay.  ^.^^^  ij^g  j.jg^^     J  JJ^^g^  n^ijike   something,  now 

lam  here.     But,  what  '^'ould  folks  at  home  think  !     How- 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  215 

over,  twenty  five  thousand,  in  a  year  or  two,  that  would 
make  it  all  right.  I'll  go  in,  and  risk  it,  said  he,  rubbing 
his  hands.     31r.  Thriftwise,  just  tell  uie  how. 

Then  I  said.  Sir,  I  beg  your  pardon,  I  have  been 
deceiving  you,  on  purpose  to  try  you.  I  suspected  you. 
My  suspicions  have  been  confirmed.  You  came  here,  not 
to  make  your  living,  or  wealth,  honestly,  but  a  scoundrel  at 
A  serious  accu.  heart.  You  wcrc  ready  to  disgrace  your 
embarn&se°d'*"  friends,  to  uuman  yourself,  to  trample  on  the 
"^'"''  laws  of  your  country,  to   forsake  God  and  all 

goodness,  to  rob  your  fellow  men,  and  to  abandon  all  claims 
to  common  respect  and  esteem,  for  the  sake  of  money, 
and  have  professed  yourself  ready,  even  to  steal,  and  to 
become  one  of  a  gang  of  thieves.  You  cm  go,  sir.  This 
matter  lies  only  between  us.  If  you  do  not  yet  know  what 
A  moral  lecture,  to  do,  I  kuow  what  you  havc  said  you  were 
willing  to  do.  Gro,  and  work  honestly ;  and  do  not  think 
that  I  shall  soon  forget  you.  I  have  seen  too  many  like 
you.  Heaven  grant,  I  may  meet  no  more  such.  The 
country  can  well  spare  their  coming,  and  their  presence, 
and  our  towns  will  rejoice  when  similar  specimens  cease  to 
arrive. 

So,  young  Mr.  Filchfur  hurried  away,  and  when  last  heard 
ofj  he  was  in  a  distant  county  trying  to  get  an  office,  in 
which  endeavor  he  had  some  prospect  of  succeeding.  This 
man,  said  Mr.  Thriftwise,  is  one  of  the  many  who  come  here, 
Importation    of  villains  already,  at  heart;  and  when  they   act 

ready  made  vil-  ... 

lains.  out  their  villainy,  people  at  the  east  charge  it 

all  to  the  account  of  California  wickedness ;  when,  in  fact, 
these  same  characters  would  go  east,  put  on  the  same  old 
cloak  of  goodness,  and  people  there  would  never  suspect 
them. 


216  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


Now  I  saw,  that  they  left  this  second  village  without 
a  church,  situated  only  an  easy  day's  ride  from  the  city 
of  Embankment,  having  bidden  Mr.  Thriftwise  farewell, 
and  went  toward  the  top  of  a  high  ridge,  running  nearly 
north  and  south.  At  the  end  of  a  few  miles,  they  were 
The  road  leads  at  the    pitch    of  the    hill,  and  looked  down 

down      into      a   .  o  i        i  i 

chasm.  into    an    awful    chasm,    and    upon    scenery 

grand,  and  beautiful  in  its  sublimity,  though  it  was  only 
the  beginning  of  such  things.  They  prepared  to  descend. 
A  deep  ravine  It  was  a  long  journey,  and  windings,  baitings, 

with  men  at  the  i     i     i  t  i         •  -hi  i     -j. 

bottom.  and    hoklmgs,  made    lu    still    longer,  and   at 

seemed  as  if  they  never  would  reach  the  bottom.  They 
knew  there  was  a  bottom,  for  they  could  see  it ;  but, 
when  they  had  gone  down  so  far  that  the  height  they 
had  left  seemed  to  touch  the  sky  over  their  heads,  still 
the  bottom  appeared  as  distant  as  when  they  first  gazed  into 
the  depth,  and  men  were  only  pigmies  in  appearance, 
and  looked  like  flocks  of  fowls,  moving  about  on  the  ground. 
Night  had  almost  gathered  a^ain,  when  they  came 
down  to  the  edge  of  the  water  of  the  North  Fork  of  the 
American.  At  least,  it  was  like  evening  there  ;  for  the  sun 
was  out  of  sight,  and  they  saw  not  his  face  again,  till  the 
following  day,  very  late  in  the  morning.  Here  the  Pilgrim 
They  are  now  ^^^  Keep  Faith  saw,  for  the  first  time,  river 
see^'uiin-is  w'ith  raining?  dams,  toms,  sluices,  flumes,  wheels, 
theirowneyes.  gijQygig^  picks,  pans,  long  boots,  and  other 
paraphernalia.  Right  glad  they  were  to  rest  awhile,  and 
look  on  the  operations  of  these  Yankee  miners,  in  their 
varied  and  grotesque  attire.  The  beards  and  mustachios  of 
nearly  all  were  of  full  growth,  a  razor  not  having  passed 
upon  them  for  a  good  many  months.  Their  hats  were  of 
every  order  and  style.     Their  shirts  were  flannel  of  some 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  217 

color,  blue,  red,  scarlet,  green,  yellow,  white,  striped,  or 
plaid,  or  some  faded  meiuento  of  these  colors,  and  some  were 
of  the  sort  called  hard  hack,  or  hickory.  Some  of  them 
A  busy  place  VTorkcd  ill  tlio  watcr  with  long  boots,  and  some 
sorting  wiuf'i  witl^  none  but  nature's  own.  It  was  a  bu.«y 
^'""'  scene.     Stones  were  flying,  dirt  was  shoveling, 

toms  were  rocking,  water  was  splashing,  and,  as  they  were 
down  close  to  the  bed  rocK,  all  were  in  a  state  of  excitement 
and  restless  anxiety.  At  length  they  panned  out,  and  two 
or  three  pounds  of  gold  showed  its  bright  color,  and  they 
were  in  extacies ;  for  the  yield  indicated  a  hundred  dollars 
per  day  to  a  man. 

In  a  short  tine,  the  travelers  went  on,  following  tho 
course  of  the  river,  by  a  narrow  path,  now  close  to  tho 
Thev  CO  on  up  '^^'^tcr,  HOW  ovcr  the  rocks,  and  now  far  up  on 

tlic  stream.  ^j^^,  gj^^p  j^j^  gj,j^^  ^^^^  ^.^^^^^  .^,.  Ig^gtlj^  t^  tho 

cabin  of  Mr.  Auti(|uary's  ofc  tried  friend,  one  Mr.  Upheaval. 
He  was  taken  by  surprise.  But  he  proft'ei'cd  the  hospitalitios 
of  his  home,  as  though  it  were  a  palace.  The  floor  was  the 
ground,  the  table  was  of  slabs,  and  there  were  stools  of 
wood.  Tlie  kitchen  furniture  comprised  a  dinner  pot,  a 
The  cuisino  of  a  frji^g  pan,  and  a  stewing  dish.  Tea  was 
miner.  made    in  a  large  tin  vessel,  and  drank  from 

smaller  ones.  The  food  extended  to  cold  beef,  potatoes, 
pickles,  and  hard  broad  ;  any  of  which  things  a  hungi-y  man 
would  relish. 

During  the  evening,  Mr.  Upheaval  gave  them  an  account 
of  his  mining  history  for  three  years ;  in  which  he  had  made 
fortunes  and  lost  them,  with  equal  facility;  thougli  he  had 
The  doings  of  i^cver  failed  in  the  time  to  send  home  a  liberal 
Mr.  Upheaval,  j^onthiy  instalment,  for  the  benefit  of  his 
family.  His  enterprises  had  been  prodigious,  and  he  was 
15 


218  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


.still  engaged  in  carryino;  on  gigantic  schemes,  and  working 
with  his  own  hands  and  head,  like  one  that  knew  no  such 
word  as  fail,  and  never  would  give  up. 

They  slept,  some  in  bunks,  some  on  the  benches  and 
table,  and  some  on  tlie  ground  ;  and  they  were  lulled  to  sleep 
(.iiiied  10  sleep  by  the  murmur,  ripple,  and  roar  of  the  waters 

on         primitive  ...  ,  .     ,  i  i  • 

couches.  tumbling  over  rocks  and  (l;mi.s,  and  rushmg 

through  flumes  and  narrows. 

All  the  next  day,  they  toiled,  wearisomely,  along  up  the 
stream,  keeping  as  near  to  it  as  possible,  and  observing  the 
men  by  whom  they  passed,  and  their  works.  They  were 
astounded  by  the  evidences  of  labor,  seen  on  every  side,  and 
the  long  continued,  and  almost  superhiunan,  energy  that 
must  have  been  tasked  in  bringing  about  so  stupendous 
The  giants  quite  r^sults.     Tlicsc  works  might  put  to  shame  the 

outdone.  pQ^j.    qIJ    „^^^^^    ^^    j.-.^^^^^    ^^^^^    pjl^^     p^lj^j^ 

upon  Ossa  ;  for,  here  had  been  rocks  enough  removed  to 
make  both  of  those  mountains,  and  work  enough  done,  to 
break  down  all  the  giants. 

It  was  sunset,  when  they  reached  a  large  and  famous 
encampment,  only  a  few  miles  distant  from  a  town  witli  a 
very  droll  name  Near  by  were  certain  canyons  with  uumeu- 
tiouable  names.  At  this  point  they  lodged.  During  the 
evening  they  went  out  and  looked  through  the  encampmeut. 
It  was  Saturday  evening,  and  the  week's  work  was  done  ; 
and  some  had  received  their  weekly  pay.  There  was  no 
regular  gaming  saloon  in  the  place  ;  but  cards  were  found 
Saturday   night  cvcry    where.       The     trading    houses    were 

at    an    encamp-  •  i         i        i  i  n 

ment  of  miners,  groceries,  hotcis,  bar  rooms,  and  so  on,  all 
combined  ;  and  the  gaming  that  was  done  in  earnest,  was  in 
these.  There  were  monte,  faro,  whist,  eucher,  jack,  poker, 
and  such   games,  but   a   favorite   game   was    "freeze  out 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  211) 

poker."  The  favorite  stake,  in  this  game,  was  a  can  of 
peaches,  or  other  preserved  fruit,  or  some  such  delicacy, 
toward  the  purchase  of  which,  three,  five,  or  seven 
persons  contributed  each,  his  share  of  money.  By  the  rules 
of  the  game,  when  one  fou,nd  hinjself  and  his  cards  in  a 
Freezing  out.  certain  fix,  he  was  excluded,  or  frozen  out; 
then  another,  and  another,^nd  the  last  was  the  winner.  It 
was  only  an  ingenious  mode  of  raffling.  Of  course,  there 
was  not  much  delicacy  about  these  apartments.  The  miners 
did  not  change  their  garbs,  before  entering  for  the  evening ; 
and  they  were  smoking,  drinking,  swearing,  and  boasting 
incessantly. 

Some  appeared  to  b.c  trying  how  fast  they  could  get  rid 
of  their  week's  earnings,  by  foolish  purchases,  stakes,  a 
great  deal  of  hard  drinking,  and  inviting  every  body  else  to 
drink,  and  becoming  too  generous  to  preserve  even  a  cent 
for  after  wants.  Some  they  saw  in  their  cabins,  who  were 
reckoning  up  their  proceeds,  adjusting  accounts,  and  hoarding 
away  the  most  of  their  dust.  Some  were  in  groups,  talking 
Wife  children  ^^  hoiue,  family,  friends,  and  days  lang  sync, 
and  triends.  ^^^j  wondering  whether  fortune  would  favor 
their  return,  or  bring  their  dear  ones  thither.  But  the 
great  majority  were  going,  from  store  to  store,  and  .shop  to 
shop,  and  spending  time  and  money  reckles.sly.  And,  in 
general,  this  squandering  class  was  the  one  that  com- 
plained most  of  hard  times,  and  evil  fortunes.  And, 
surely,  they  were  badly  off. 

Sunday  was  as  noi.sy  and  boisterous,  as  Saturday ;  but 
in  a  different  way.  There  was  no  digging ;  yet  there 
were  gambling,  chaffering,  trading,  and  auctioneering  done. 
There  were  also  crowds  in  the  streets,  or  the  places  so 
denominated.     In    their    cabins,    men    washed   dishes,  and 


220  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

cleaned  up  extraordinarily.  They  washed  soiled  garments 
Occnpntinns  on  at  tlio  rivcF.     They  cloaned  and  reloaded  fire- 

the  first  day   of  ,,,,  //■**!■  1  T        c 

tiieweck.  arnis.      i  hey  ^Ycnt  alter  their  weeks  .supply  or 

provisions.  They  made  articles  for  use,  repaired  damaged 
tools  and  garments,  prospected,  paid  off  bills,  sent  to  the 
post  office,  wrote  letters,  read  newspapers  and  novels, 
loafed  about  for  excitement,  and  did  all  the  odd  jobs  they 
could  think  of,  except  to  trim  their  hair  and  beards. 

Pil<Trim  and  his  companions  early  went  to  the  village  of 
Down  East  James  ;  for  they  supposed  they  might  find  a 
preacher  there,  and  attend  divine  worship  with  his  congre- 
o-ation.  But  no  one  they  met  could  tell  if  there  were 
preaching ;  or,  if  so,  where  it  might  be.  Thus  they  found 
Down  East  themselvcs  in  the  midst  of  a  crowd  of  godless 
janics'  village,  ^^q^^  m^j  the  hurry,  noise,  and  strife  of  a 
mining  town  on  the  Lord's  day.  And,  surely,  the  sight 
was  sad  enough ;  for  here  was  Vanity  Fair  outdone  in 
vanity,  if  not  in  folly  and  in  crime. 

MORAL. 

There  is  no  divine  institution,  no  appointment  of  God 
for  the  race  of  man,  so  slighted  and  set  at  nought  among 
us,  as  the  Sabbath,  one  day  in  seven  for  a  day  of  holy 
rest.  The  casting  away  of  its  benefits,  the  neglect  of 
its  mercies,  the  rejection  of  its  duties,  the  abuse  and 
desecration  of  the  day  ;  these  are  common  enough,  and 
shameful  enough,  in  our  cities  and  best  regulated  com- 
munities. But  the  profanation  of  the  day,  that  prevails, 
generally,  in  the  mining  districts,  is  alarming,  is  dreadful. 

"We  have  need  of  a  reform  in  this  matter.  Yea,  this 
must  be  the  beginning  of    all    public   reforms  ;  the    chief 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  221 


among  private  ones.  I  can  not  state  the  case  stronger 
than  it  is,  nor  can  you  easily  imngine  it  to  be  worse  than 
you  will  find  it.  If  you  travel  up  and  down  our  rivers, 
ravines,  and  mountains,  you  will  have  every  religious 
sensibility  shocked,  if  not  every  human  one  wounded.  You 
can  not  but  feel  the  need  of  that  reform  which  now  is 
urged.  If  you  have  anything  beyond  the  mere&t  semblance 
of  piety,  not  to  say  humanity,  in  your  souls,  you  will 
yourselves  urge  the  reform  with  all  your  might. 

By  your  private  example,  by  your  public  efforts,  by 
encouraging  tho^e  who  keep  the  Sabbath,  by  discouraging 
those  who  break  it,  by  all  the  ways  in  which  influence  may 
be  exerted,  you  have  all  something  to  do,  each  in  his  sphere, 
in  promoting  this  reform.  You  ought  neither  to  patronize, 
in  a  business  way,  individuals,  associations,  or  corporations, 
nor  to  vote  any  into  offices  of  honor  and  trust,  that  are 
known,  openly  and  .shamelessly,  to  violate  the  saeredncss  of 
the  d:^y. 

AVell  you  know  how  n:!edful  to  health  and  vigor  is 
physical  rest,  one  day  in  seven.  Well  you  know  how 
needful  to  the  mind,  and  the  genial  and  harnjonious  exercise 
of  all  the  intellectual  faculties,  is  just  such  a  change  for  the 
thoughts,  just  such  a  recreation,  as  the  Sabbath  is  wont  to 
brinir.  Well  you  know  what  need  there  is  for  a  day,  so 
often,  to  check  the  ongoing  of  affairs,  to  arrest  the  noise  and 
strife  without,  to  free  from  the  cares  of  business,  to  hush  all 
tumult  and  jar,  that  time  may  bo  given  for  the  culture  of 
thesoul^  to  gather  hallowing  and  blessed  influences  around 
it,  and  lift  it  above  all  earthly  vanities.  Well  you  know, 
that,  without  this  day  of  holy  rest,  there  never  has  been, 
there  never  can  be,  any  true  and  steady  maintenance  of 
religion,  much  less,  any  growth  and  spread  of  it      And  well 


Tin;    CALIFOUMA    PILGRIM. 


you  know,  that,  without  reliirlon,  there  is  no  heaven  for  man 
above,  and  none  bcL^uu  below. 

Thus  you  know  that  "  ihe  Sabbath  was  made  for  man  ;■" 
as  our  Lord  himself  hath  declared.  Your  observation  goes 
not  but  to  confirm  hi.s  word.  Act  up  to  the  full  moasure  of 
the  dictates  of  you'-  uiidorstanding.  By  your  life  and  labors 
evince  how  confidentlv  you  believe  the  Savior's  saying,  how 
thoroughly  you  have  learned  the  lessons  of  Providence. 
Your  hopes  for  j)eaceful  eommunities,  wise  laws,  good 
governments,  splendid  cities,  a  noble  state,  prosperity  on  the 
earth,  and  a  home  in  heaven,  all,  all,  depend  on  your 
keeping  a  weekly  Sabbath,  and  your  resting,  according  to 
God's  commandment ! 


LECTUKE    XI, 


Now  I  saw  ia  iny  dream,  ATiieu  Pilgrim  ami  his 
companions  perceived  that  they  were  in  the  very  midst 
of  the  village  of  Down  East  James,  of  a  Sunday,  and 
could  find  no  place  where  public  worship  was  held,  that  they 
were  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  For,  if  they  remained  in  the 
streets,  and  drifted  about  with  the  crowds,  they  would  seeni 
Wishing toavoid  to  be   spending  the   Lord's  diy  in    the  same 

the    appearance  ,  i        i      i  .,..1     f%,.  U 

of  evil.  manner  as  those  who  had  no  regard   toi  it. 

Although  it  was  suggested,  that,  by  doing  so,  they  would 
learn,  from  observation  of  their  own,  more  about  the  habits 
and  practices  prevalent  at  such  places  on  that  day  of  the 
week,  than  were  possible  otherwise,  they  could  not  consent 
to  spend  the  day  in  that  manner. 

They  were  relieved  of  their  difficulties  by  meeting  with 
on:;  Mr.  Impulsate,  a  very  good  sort  of  a  man,  in  hi^ 
way,  whom  Mr.  Antiquary  had  known  for  some  years.  Ho 
was,  by  regular  calling,  a  physician,  and  sometimes  had 
practised  medicine.  He  had,  also,  at  times,  essayed  the 
practice  of  law  ;  sometimes  he  had  been  a  public  functionary ; 
\  man  of  parts.  Sometimes  he  had  kept  a  store  ;  sometimes  ho 
it  experiments.     ^^^  ^^^^  j^j.^  ^.^^^^  estate  Operations  ;  sometime^ 


224  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

lie  had  engaged  in  quartz  mills ;  and  sonietimcs  lie  had  tried 
banking.  He  had,  at  one  time  and  another,  bought  into 
and  sold  out  of,  almost  every  species  of  stocks  in  the 
uiarket.  He  had  been  just  ready  to  go  east,  and  expecting 
to  start,  every  next  month,  for  a  year  or  two,  but  was  never 
able  to  clo.sc  up  his  business  satisfactorily,  or  to  get  his 
friends  off  from  his  hands,  so  as  to  start  freely.  lie 
had  sold  out,  and  relocated  several  times,  on  the  sainc  spot, 
in  the  same  place;  and  several  times,  in  as  many  different 
places.  lie  had  been  rich,  and  poor  again,  more  times  than 
he  could  remember.  He  had  never  been  witliout  a  half  a 
noiievoienre   &  dozcn  men  and  women  under  his  care,  whom 

7.f'al  in  no  want 

ofoi.jert-i.  he     was    trying    to    get    situations    for ;    his 

beuevoleuce  always  outdoing  his  discretion,  aud  his  hope- 
fulness keeping  (juite  in  advance  of  his  energies,  although 
they  were  wonderful. 

l)r.  Impulsatc  had  but  recently  come  to  this  town,  lately 
sprung  up,  with  its  broad,  descending  street,  new  houses,  of 
A  ncwiv  built  lidit  hucd  wood,  uupainted,  and,  therefore,  of 

town,    of  woed       °  ,  ,  . 

color.  one  color ;  and   yet   in    consequence   of  tJiis 

uniformity,  presenting  a  tidy  and  neat  appearance,  as  if 
fresh  from  the  builders'  hands  and  the  workmen's  tools. 
Ho  was  hurrying  along  to  visit  a  patient,  when  accosted  b}' 
Mr.  Antiquary.  He  was  very  glad  to  see  them  all ;  for  he 
loxed  the  company  of  good  men,  which  the  very  habits  of 
his  life  deprived  him  of.  He  took  them  to  his  office,  and 
had  them  provided  with  quiet  seats,  and  a  few  good  books, 
till  his  return  from  his  calls. 

But  their  very  retreat  overlooked  the  whole  village,  and 
the  noise  of  the  streets  was  not  shut  out  by  the  thin 
partitions.  Crowds  of  teams  had  contrived  to  get  in  on 
Saturday  evening  or  Sunday  morning.     From  his  wagon, 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  22.3 

Street  fraffic  on  ^^'^  "^^^  peddling  fruits ;  another  was  retailing 
Sunday.  notions  ;  another,  clothing  ;  and  another,  boots 

and  shoes.  Merchants  were  auctioneering  at  their  doors, 
and  teamsters  from  their  wagons.  Music,  and  the  clangor 
of  trumpets,  pealed  incessantly,  or,  in  vocal  utterances, 
screecl'ked  and  screamed,  from  the  saloons  and  groggeries. 
Bar  keepers  were  in  demand  ;  and  there  was  heard  the 
popping  of  corks,  the  ringing  of  glasses,  the  jingling  of 
decanters,  nud  rattle  and  din  of  every  sort.  All  was 
'Dieroisnosmaii  exhilaration,  excitement,  activity,  motion,  life 

stir    among    tlie  i,      ,  i  -i  i  •  i         i    ' 

people.  Money    was    all  the    while    changing    hands. 

There  was  no  quiet,  no  reserve,  no  self  possession.  All 
was  bewilderment.  Men  forgot  where  they  were,  why 
they  came,  what  the  day  was  for,  when  they  should 
depart,  and  wherewith. 

As  it  drew  toward  evening,  the  throng  in  the  streets 
was  less,  and  the  clamors  and  appeals  of  the  auctioneers 
ceased  ;  but  the  songs  and  shouts  of  mirth  and  revelry  rather 
increased,  and  there  began  to  be  boasting,  scolding,  loud 
altercations,  quarreling,  fighting,  ^and  shooting,  here  and 
there. 

Pack  loads  of  goods  and  stores  on  mules,  and  back 
The  after  part  of  ^o^tls  of  goods  on  men.  Were  leaving  every 
""^  '^^^'"  moment.     All  sorts  of  mining  implements  and 

supplies  were  loading  into  very  unpretending  vehicles,  for 
the  small  shops  and  branch  stores,  in  the  ravines,  and  on 
the  bars,  wherever  wheeled  vehicles  cou'd  be  made  to  go, 
without  whirling  more  than  once  over  at  an  upset. 

When  the  night  came,  the  calm  stars  shone  from  their 
blue  depths,  with  diamond  gleam  ;  the  same  sweet  stars  that 
had  smiled  on  the  Pilgrim  in  his  early  days,  and  had  como 
to  be  his  most  familiar  friends,  as  they  rose  and  set  in  their 


226  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM, 

brilliant  constellations.  But  there,  in  that  newly  Iniilt 
village,  Avliat  .scones  of  friiilt  did  tliey  not  look  down  on,  from 
their  far  heiglits,  all  so  passive  and  uudlsuubed !  The 
streets  were  nearly  abandoned.  The  gaming  saloons  were 
The  doincs  dii-  f"^^-  ^Jioiip.s  of  cagor  tUcod  mcH  were  watch- 
ring  iccviMiin;;.  j^^^  about  the  tables,  as  excited  eowipanions 
staked  and  lost,  coin  after  coin.  They  looked  on  one  of 
tlie.se,  when  the  tide  turned,  as  he  thought  in  his  favor,  and 
he  bet  high  and  lost  all.  Thry  saw  liim,  as  he  went  away, 
pale,  and  trembling,  to  drink  himself  into  an  hour  of  strange 
Evpnthine  lost  forgetfulness.  For,  in  that  moment  of  horri- 
i.ir;  not  money  t>lo  anguisli,  wliat  picturcs  wcrc  m  his  uund, 
"  "'""■  of  early  home,  father  and  mother,  as  he  knew 

tliem  once  !  And  how  he  thought  of  child  and  wife,  her  last 
looks,  anil  her  latest  letters,  which  were  even  then  in 
his  bosom !  What  i.ssue  was  tliere  to  be  of  the  wild  and 
dLsordored  life  he  was  leading!  No  wonder  he  would  fain 
forget  himself  and  the  world  around  !  What  would  he  not 
give  tolilot  out  all  the  p;ist !  What  docs  he  not  imagine  he 
would  essay  and  accomplLsli,  if  he  could  only  be  what  once 
he  was  ! 

The  drinking  siiops,  tco,  were  full  of  peoi)lc,  talking, 
drinking,  lounging.  These  .shops  had  fanciful  names,  and 
were  hung  around  with  paintings  of  nude  forms,  with  gaudy 
Drinkin?  shops  picturcs,  of  sccnes  in  the  life  of  a  flash  man,  a 

and   tlieir  orna-    n    , „  .•  ^.    ., 

nients,  and  fro-  I'lucy  man,  a  sportmg  man,  a  gay  man  of  the 
quentor-.  world,  a  jolly  good  fellow,  and  so  on.     Here 

were  puldie  men,  come  to  unbend  themselves.  Judges, 
magistrates,  constables,  lawyers,  clerks,  politicians,  men  that 
sponge  their  living,  somehow,  out  of  the  public  offices,  and 
have  the  largest  liberty,  and  the  most  assurance ;  all  wei-e 
here  for  potations.     And    here   judge    and    culprit    drank 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  227 


together,  with  a  very  knovrmg  wink  of  recognition.  The 
justice  smiled  satisfaction,  over  his  glass,  at  the  pettifogger, 
Promotprs  of  ^^'^"^  g^t  luon  bj  the  ears,  about  pretty  much 
|,n7"^'',c{|*''''of  nothing,  and  so  managed  to  put  fees  into  his 
Vigilance.  ^^^  pockct,  whilc  giviug  the  Court  a  chance 

to  foot  up  a  handsome  bill  of  costs.  Here  the  constable 
drank  success  to  long  difficulties  and  many  witnesses;  and 
the  sherift'^s  deputy  tried,  iu  vain,  to  seem  strange  and  cold 
toward  the  man,  whom  he  had  once  had  under  arrest,  but 
who  had  managed  to  slip  out  of  his  hands,  while  he  slipped 
an  "adobe"  iu.  And  here  were  all  dignitaries,  on  a  level 
Dignity  unbent,  with  tho  Undignified,  and  the  great  were 
become  like  vulgar  men  ;  and,  in  their  cups,  they  .slapped 
each  others'  shoulders,  in  fraternal  union,  and  were  known 
only  as  Tom,  Dick,  and  Harry,  Joe,  Sam,  and  Jerry. 

As  the  hours  passed  on,  there  were  other  buildings  sought, 
which  were  not  the  least  imposing  in  their  size  and 
appearance,  and  which  were  more  splendidly  and  gaudily 
finished  and  provided  than  any  others  in  the  town.  Hei-e 
were  gilded  bottles,  colored  drinks,  and  enticing  cordials. 
The  haunts  of  Here  wcrc  music,  and  voluptuous  dancing, 
the  shameless,  jj^^.^  ^^^^  painted  womeu,  in  flaunting  and 
costly  attire,  and  here  were  bold  looks,  honied  words, 
blandishing  attentions,  and  enticing  smiles,  and  simple  men 
went  straightway  after  such  as  lured  them  to  their  inner 
halls,  and  lavished  food  and  drink  upon  them,  in  the  place 
"  The  dead  are  ^f  luxury,  and  wooed  thcm  to  their  ruin  in  tlte 
"""'''"  false  embrace  of  death  and  the  grave.     Hour 

after  hour,  the  song,  dance,  and  music  went  on  ;  and  still 
the  sound  was  in  the  ears  of  the  travelers,  both  waking  and 
sleeping,  long  after  the  noon  of  night  was  gone.  Ami  the 
grey  of  the  morning  saw  many  a  haggard,  pale,  man  going 


228  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

to  his  rooms,  who  fain  would  have  concealed  from  all 
the  world,  from  the  circle  at  his  distant  home,  especially, 
"A  i.ini  of  tiio  ^'iG  truth  concerning  his  revels,  and  the  place 
uu-  voir'o.  "^'ana  ^^icrc  liis  uianlincss  succumbed,  and  he  was 
win,r  siuJ/'u'il  1-ol'hod  of  his  youth,  strength,  beauty,  and 
the  mailer.-'  ,j|j  ^|^^^  glory  of  his  goldcn  j'cars,  and  maturing 
promise. 

These  thinps  Pilnrim  and  his  companions  saw,  or  heard 
from  the  lips  of  thoii-  host,  as  they  passed  the  evening 
together,  in  his  small  chamber.  And  together  they 
bemoaned  the  dissolute  habits,  shocking  morals,  and  utter 
lack  of  hirfh  principle,  so  common  in  many  of  the  mountain 
districts ;  and  togotlier  they  prayed,  that  tlie  day  might 
soon  come  for  a  steady  preaching  of  the  gospel,  for  rpuct 
Thiiifsaito.'etli-  Sabbaths,  houses  of  prayer,  and  pious  house- 
er  desirable.  liolJ^,  and  all  tlic  genial  power  and  influences  of 
divine  grace,  and  human  excellence,  as  these  had  been 
known  in  former  years,  and  in  regions  afar. 

The  morning  dawned  auspiciously.  The  3nountain  air 
was  fresh,  and  bracing  ;  and  there  was  a  charm  abroad  in 
the  sunny  light,  that  could  not  be  resisted.  Dr.  Impulsate 
took  them  about  the  hills  and  ravines  near  the  town.  They 
"  Devil's  can.  '"'cnfc  aoross  tho  mouth  of  that  one,  which 
^'""•"  commemorates     the    name     of    a    notorious 

vagrant,  going  up  and  down  in  the  earth,  that,  perchance, 
was  no  stranger  in  those  parts.  For,  there  as  almost 
everywhere,  some,  when  themselves  got  high,  seemed  quite 
as  intent  to  raise  the  "  Ancient  Henry,"  if  at  any  time  he 
mi'iht  seem  to  be  reclining,  as  to  put  down  all  other  spirits. 
The  doctor  also  had  them  down  into  the  bottom  of  that  one, 
"Shirt  tail  deriving  its  name  from  the  extremity  of  an 
eanyon."  under  garment ;  where,  indeed,  there  was  very 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  229 

little  to  surprise  them,  and  not  much  to  compensate  them 
for  their  trouble. 

They  went,  afterwards,  into  shafts  and  tunnels,  visited 
slides,  mounted  up  to  the  Georgia  Bluffs,  and  saw  where 
those  many,  many  pounds  of  gold  were  obtained,  by  five 
A  famous  ^^^'^^  ^'"^  ^  ^^'^  wocks ;  wliich  so  surprised  the 
"lead."  whole     region,    and     brought    tliither    such 

anxious,  eager  crowds  in  hope  to  find  their  fortunes,  with 
like  expedition  ;  none  of  whom  had  been  more  than  partially 
successful.  And  tlais  they  spent  the  day ;  making  obser. 
vations  of  the  region  and  people,  and  preparing  for  a 
continuation  of  their  journey.  They  did  not  return  to  Dr. 
Impulsatc's  again;  for  that  gentleman  had  been  called 
over  to  the  Middle  Fork  to  patch  up  the  bruised  face  of  a 
piece  of  humanity,  given  to  bruising  grog;  and  had  gone 
thence  to  the  village  of  Sarah,  to  find  a  place  for  one  of 
his  dependents.  They  were  left,  therefore,  to  look  out 
for  themselves  ;  as,  l?y  this  time,  they  were  quite  able  to 
do,  in  almost  any  circumstances. 

Now  it  came  to  pass,  as  they  were  going  to  a  place,  where 
they  expected  to  find  shelter  for  the  night,  that  they  came 
Amanofchemi-  ^^on  a  man,  behind  a  large  cabin,  busily 
and  p^acticai'fp!  engaged  with  a  fii'e  and  a  retort.  lie  was 
plication.  distilling  the  mercury  from   an  amalgam  he 

had  been  forming,  in  order  to  test  the  (j[nality  of  certain 
parcels  of  black  sand,  and  some  specimens  of  quartz  rock. 
Mr.  Antiquary  recognized  this  person  as  a  certain  Professor, 
but  not  the  one  whom  he  had  known  in  Einliankment  as  a 
doer  of  various  kinds  of  business,  not  belongincj  to  his 
curriculum.  Like  other  learned  men  in  the  land,  this  one 
had  turned  his  attention  to  trading,  speculating  in  city  lots, 
making  new  towns,  taking  up  public  lands,  wonder  finding, 


230  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

hill  exploring,  political  aspiring,  and  science  mongering,  in 
How  he  lonkci  general.  He  was  the  very  impersonation  of 
'""''"'*"""■="''"•  endurance  and  toughness,  as  he  stood  there 
in  his  calico  shirt.  Hi's  hands,  large,  hard,  and  somewhat 
discolored,  were  very  huge  paws,  as  compared  with  the  soft, 
white,  little,  dumpy  things,  often  appended  to  the  arms  of  a 
University  scholar.  He  looked  up  in  amazement  at  Mr. 
Antiquary  and  his  company  ;  but  he  was  too  much  a  man 
of  self  direction,  to  be  taken  aback.  So  he  finished  his 
distillati(.n,  strained  the  residuum  through  rags  aud 
buckskin,  and  finally  bi.'ought  it  to  a  hard  consistence,  and 
turned  it  over  to  diy.  Having  learned  the  story  of  the 
travelers,  he  couM  do  neither  less  nor  more  than  to  ask 
They  stop  for  tho  tlieui  to  share  his  cabin,  and  they  could  do  no 
"'=''''  better  than  to  accept  his  hospitality;  although 

it  was  a  shabby  building  which  they  were  by  the  side  of, 
and  the  prospect  within  was  not  the  most  charming. 

So  soon  as  it  was  dark,  in  came  three  or  four  other  regu- 
lar occupants,  and  learned  men  all.  Supper  cooking  began. 
They  all  took  seats  on  boards  and  boxes,  and  a  large  box 
served  for  a  table  ;  and  in  behind  it  were  stowed  away  the 
View  bv  caniiie  disht>s.  A  couj^le  of  tallow  caudlcs,  that 
''^'"  guttered  bailly,  stuck  in  dirty  catsup  bottles, 

shed  their  feeble  glimmer  over  the  scene  ;  and  the  sheet 
iron  stove  smoked  when  it  pleased,  and  the  frying  and 
burning  fat  on  the  top  could  do  no  less. 

At  length  they  had  supper,  around  the  big  box,  of  pork, 
watef  slap  jacks,  and  molasses,  rinsed  down  with  oak  leaf, 
shilling  tea,  sweetened  with  extra  brown  sugar,  and  drank 
from  tin  cups,  aud  far  enough  from  any  milk  market.  It 
A  supper  not  for  ^''^^  not  a  board  spread  for  epicures,  but 
bonvivants.         appetite    and     much    chewing     worked    the 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  231 

materials  into  a  diet,  if  not  into  a  severe  and  solid 
luxury.  After  this  substantial  fare,  wheu  the  dishes  had 
been  stowed  away,  all  guiltless  of  hot  water  and  towels,  the 
feast  of  reason  and  flow  of  words  began. 

The  conversation  turned  on  the  natural  sciences,  the  gold 
formation,  and  the  various  sorts  of  diggings.  For,  besides 
Professor  X.,  there  were  Dr.  H,  Greologist  Y.,  Engineer 
C,  and  Millwright  A.  Prof.  X.  had  been  in  other  gold 
regions  of  America,  and  he  was  sure  they  were  all  alike  in 
their  general  features,  and  were  alike  ranged  and  disposed, 
keeping  ever  the  same  conipauy,  and  were  never  found  out 
of  place.  He  believed  that  the  comniou  veiws,  concerning 
the  origin  and  place  of  gold,  taught  in  our  colleges,  were 
right ;  and  they  were  confirmed  by  all  his  observations  in 
The  resular  and  this  land.     He  was  in  favor  of  the  learned  and 

learned      school  ,        i         i-  t-i    •  i  •  i     i  i 

of  geologists.  regular  school.  Iveep  raith  said  he  read 
about  all  the  books  published  before  he  came,  but  was  never 
able  to  tell,  exactly,  wh:'.t  were  tlic  views  of  the  regukir  and 
learned  .school. 

Millwriirht  A.  said,  the  doctors  never  would  agree.  He 
did'nt  believe  any  of  them.  He  knew  nothing  about  falcose, 
quartzose,  gneiss,  veins,  lainiiuo,  fissures,  strata,  tertiary, 
and  such  things.  He  did'nt  Vvunt  to  know,  befause  he 
would  know  less  than  he  did  now.  He  said  the  country 
was  volcanic.  Old  and  extinct  craters  could  be  found ;  and 
The  volcanic  there  was  no  use  in  o-oina:  further  to  find  out 

theory    of  .Mill-  ^      .'^ 

Wright  .\.  where  the  gold  came  from.      The  volcanoes 

had  melted  and  mixed  it  up  with  the  rocks,  had  scattered  it 
here  and  there,  had  thrown  it  out  in  lumps,  sprinklings,  and 
fluid  masses,  and  poured  it  belter  skelter,  in  all  direction?. 
That  told  the  whole  story. 

When  ^Ir.  Antiquary  asked  him  to   tell  how  there  came 


232  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

to  be  any  gold  down  in  the  bowels  of  tlu'sc  Aoleanoes,  to  be 

thrown  out,  when   there  wore  so  many  volcanoes  in  action 

that  threw  out  none  whatever,  and  never  had,  though  active 

An  unanswered  *'^^'  tcuturics  ;  hc  lookcd  souiowhat  blank, 
question.  2>jj^  .^^  ij^ugti,^  Ijc  g^jj^  ]y^,  u^y^J^.  ^veut  behind 

the  scenes ;  he  was  only  telling  how  the  gold  got  out ;  he 
did  not  pretend  to  be  learned  enough  to  tell  how  it  got  into 
the  mountains.     He  was  not  learned  at  all. 

Mr.  Anti(|uaiy  begged  his  pardon,  but  f^aid  he  had 
supposed  thiit  a  gentleman  who  knew  that  old  volcanoes  had 
thrown  up  and  dispersed  the  gold  over  these  vast  fields, 
might  also  be  able  to  tell,  from  his  own  knowledge,  how  the 
An  explanatory  volcanocs  in  this  country  camc  to  have   any 

remark.  g^y  j.^  tJjj.Q^y  q^^  ^^J  ^.J,y    t},^y  ImJ  yot  ]^ept 

at  it  till  the  present  time.  It  certainly  would  have  been  so 
very  fine  to  have  had  the  supply  kept  up  by  such  powerful 
agencies. 

Geologist  Y.  believed  that  the  gold  was  formed  from  its 
elementary  gases,  if  elements  it  had,  in  the  bowels  of  the 
oarth,  ages  ago  ;  that,  when  in  a  fluid  state,  it  was  mingled 
with  molten  quartz,  and  so  thrown  up  by  heaving  agents  to 
the  surface,  and  toward  the  surface,  and  into  fissures  and 
openings ;  where  it  was  cooled.  Thus  the  quartz  veins  were 
ThP  theory  of  formed.  As  the  centuries  went  by,  the 
geologist  Y.  continent,  before  submerged,  was  lifted  out  of 
the  waters,  gradually,  and  then  the  elements  above  went  to 
work,  disintegrating  the  rocks,  and  grinding  down  the  hills, 
with  icebergs  and  boulders,  with  cold,  heat,  and  storms, 
laying  bare  the  veins,  breaking  them  through,  crushing  them 
to  atoms,  rubbing  the  atoms  and  fragments  down,  in  tor- 
rents, rivers,  and  among  rocks,  and  spreading  the  finer 
portions  over  vast  surfaces,  or  depositing  them  in  old  chan- 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  *-i33 

iicls,  and  ancient  eddies  ;  these  places  being  constantly  in  a 
changing  condition,  as  the  continent  rose  out  of  the  sea,  so 
A  long  sentence  ^^^^^  ^^^  channels  and  places  of  deposit  were 
^"'^«'*-  often  filled  up  with    drift    and  dirt,  and  new 

ones  were  gullied  out.  Thus,  in  the  progress  of  untold 
centuries,  the  ground  came  to  be  what  it  is,  and  the 
gold  to  be  where  it  is,  and  all  the  time,  natui'o  was  at 
work,  doing  more  than  hundreds  of  men,  to  reveal  the 
rich  tieasuies  she  had  been  cycles  in  preparing. 

Dr.  H.  saw  insuperable  diflB-culties  in  these  theories. 
They  were  not  satisfactory.  They  made  the  whole  process 
of  gold  production  an  awk\\'-ard,  clumsy,  piece  of  business, 
A  theory  more  with  no  poctrv  about  it:   and  beins;  so  prosy, 

poetical  is  in  re-    .  i  J  _         '  o         f        J  7 

•I'lost.  it   was   not  at  all  like   nature.     Nature  was 

poetical  always.     He  did  not  think  there  was  any  gold  in  the 

bowels  of  the  earth,  or  ever  was.     Gold,  and  its  kindred 

metals,  came  to  the  earth  from  without,  from  the  regions  of 

meteors,  comets,  and  the  like.     Iron  had  often  come,  in  hot 

masses   and  cold,  down  through  the   atmosphere.     Other 

mineral  substances,  also,  had  come  thus,  as  well  as  stones, 

of  some  kinds ;  and  all  these,  in  very  recent  times.     There 

always  had  been  a  region  somewhere  in  space  that  furnished 

the  world  with  aerolites,  meteors,  and  comets. 

In  that  region  he  presumed  these  substances  existed  in 

their   elemental  gases.     There    were   periods   when  these 

gases   entered   into    new    combinations,    came   into    new 

relations,  under  their  own  laws,  of  course,  and  when  meteors 

and  comets  were  severed  from  the   great  mass,  and  flew  off 

toward  the  sun,  but  were  sometimes  stopped  by  coming  into 

the  sphere  of  the  earth's  attraction,  and  so  were  intercepted, 

anil  sometimes  brought  down  to   the   surface.     In  this  way 

ho  tliought  a  comet  had  brushed  the  world,  in  its  flight,  had 
IG 


234  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

left  large  portions  of  itself  on  the  world,  in  gaseous  forms, 
The  rationale  of  and  liad,  at  the  same  time,  set  our  atmosphere 

tlic  poetical  the-  ,  ^ 

ory.  on    fire,     creating    a    heat,    compared    witli 

wliich,  Nebuchadnezzar's  furnace  was  only  a  liotcl  fire, 
fusimr  all  the  friable  rocks,  burning  the  whole  soil  to  a 
cinder,  or  into  red  clay  and  brick  dust,  and  melting  down 
the  tops  of  hills  into  the  likeness  of  cones  and  craters. 

And  thus  he  conceived  that  the  gold  was  deposited  by  tlie 
comet,  and  introduced  into  the  melted  quartz,  and  other 
rocks,  into  the  soil,  all  along  the  track,  and  made  to  take  on 
such  forms  and  shapes  as  we  found  it  in;  tliough,  of  course 
the  water  and  weather  had  acted  on  it  since.  And  thus, 
also,  he  accounted  for  the  presence  of  nickel,  cobalt,  and 
divers  other  minerals,  so  inseparable  from  a  gold  region. 
In  this  way,  too,  he  accounted  for  th  e  unique  appearance 
of  the  hills,  soil,  and  rocks ;  and  for  the  crumbled  quartz, 
and  the  baked  aspect  of  so  many  acres  of  the  ground. 

Keep  Faith  said  it  was  a  beautiful  theory ;  and  the  fire  of 
A  brief  comment,  an  atmosphcrc,  SO  much  of  it  oxygen,  and,  at 
least,  twenty  %e  miles  high,  must  have  been  a  most 
magnificent  affair.  Some ,  people  he  had  known,  who  were 
always  in  terror  at  the  appearing  of  a  comet,  lest  it  should 
come  in  contact  with  terra  firma.  But  if  this  theory  were 
true,  and  the  space  burnt  over  were  not  too  large,  hereafter, 
none  would  be  apprehensive  concerning  it,  but  rather,  glad 
to  have  a  brush  with  a  comet.  It  was,  too,  a  most  capital 
way  of  restoring  the  world's  wealth  ;  for,  although  the 
material  came  through  the  air,  it  was  better  than  castles  in 
Something  finer  that  rcgiou  ;  and,  though  it  was  once  all  gas, 

than  castles,  in    .  .i       T  ^ 

the  air.  it   became    none  the  less  auruni  purum,   on 

getting  cold.  In  other  days,  people  thanked  their  stars 
for  their  successfid  fortunes  ;  in  later  times,  and  in  Bus- 


THE    CALIFORXIA    PILGRIM.  235 

tledom,  it  wouLl  seem  that  tlio  saiuo  sort  of  people  ought 
to  thank  their  comets,  for  such  a  wide  '•  streak  of  good 
luck,"  as  ran  along  these  ribs  of  the  continent;  ribs  that 
were  enriched  and  mottled  with  yellow,  by  being  roasted. 
Engineer  C.  said  he  could  not  see  as  there  was  any  use  in 
trying  to  learn  how  gold  was  manufactured,  and  where  it 
The  cn"ineor  C'luie  froiu,  unlcss  tlicy  could  also  learn  where 
delivers  hhnseif.  ^^  ^^^  j^^  ^^^t^  j^^^,  ^^  manuf-icturc  it  for  them- 
selves. For  his  part,  if  he  could  learn  where  tlje  best 
pickings  of  the  old  batch  were,  he  should  be  well  satisfied, 
and  ^Tould  never  ask  how  the  stuff  came  to  be  gold,  and  not 
pyrites,  nor  liow  it  got  where  he  found  it,  nor  when  the 
next  supply  would  be  furnished  to  mankind.  He  knew  of  a 
legend,  extant  in  many  rocky  parts  of  the  world,  to  account 
for  the  existence  of  "  awful  stony  spots,"  purporting  that, 
once  on  a  time,  a  notorious  ancient  rebel  there  broke  his 
apron  strings,  and  left  a  largo  pocket  full  of  flint  rocks.  He 
Shaken  from  ce-  thought,  after  the  same  general  method,  that 
lestiai  wings.  ^^^^^  much  better  personage,  or  good  angel, 
might  have  emptied  his  purse,  or  shaken  his  wings  over 
this  region,  and  thence  came  the  deposits  and  sprinklino-s  of 
gold.  This,  if  true,  would  account  for  the  facts,  and,  for 
aught  he  could  see,  it  was  as  fine  a  theory  of  the  gold  orio-in, 
as  any  body's  he  knew. 

Thus  the  discussion  went  on  for  a  long  time ;  and  each 
was,  at  the  hour  of  retiring,  of  much  the  same  opinion  as 
Who  shau    de-  when  the  talk  began.     And  then  I  saw,  that 

cide   when   doc-        ... 

tors  disagree.^  Pilgrim,  having  heard  all  the  sayings  of  these 
earned  doctors,  was  very  pleasurably  anticipated  in  his  wish 
to  retire,  by  the  nod  and  start  of  Mr.  Antiquary,  who  had 
long  been  asleep,  while  the  talkers  supposed  he  was 
graciously  bowing  assent.     The  beds   they   slept  on  were 


236  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


not  down,  except  on  the  ground ;  but  they  slept  well  and 
comfortably,  after  so  hard  a  day's  tramp,  and  so  solid  a 
supper,  and  so  soporific  a  discussion. 

They  awoke  to  repeat  tlie  same  operation,  in  making  a 
breakfast,  as  in  taking  their  supper  ;  and  all  this,  before 
sunrise.  For  tliu  professor  was  wide  awake  at  the  cock 
Early  hours  crowing,  although  no  cock  crew  ;  and  the  .sheet 
among  miners,  -^.q^^  stuve  began  Smoking  before  the  miners' 
pipes,  and  before  the  hills  in  the  sunshine.  In  due  time, 
the  travelers  took  formal  leave  of  the  literary  group,  at  this 
focus  of  the  learned,  and  of  their  cabin  with  its  greasy 
dishes,  smoky  books,  empty  boxes,  and  lowly  beds,  and  took 
their  way,  by  the  compass,  for  On  Hand  and  Rugged,  Herb 
vale,  and  the  city  of  Nivalis.  There  was  a  trail,  some  of  the 
way,  they  hoped  to  strike,  and  bars,  villages,  and  diggings  to 
be  found,  as  they  might  happen  upon  them. 

They  journeyed  now  into  the  wild  regions.  Such  hills  as 
Tho  mountain  ^^'^7  Came  to,  such  valleys,  such  ravines,  such 
scenery.  arbor  vitso,  such  pines,  such  moss,  such  rocks^ 

such  cataracts,  and  such  sublimity,  ruggedness,  grotcsque- 
ness,  and  wierd  wonders  of  land,  water,  and  vegetation,  no 
mortal  ever  came  upon  elsewhere.  They  would  get  them- 
selves down,  down,  down  into  a  narrow  gorge,  leap  a  little, 
dashing  stream,  pull  themselves,  by  roots  and  branches, 
when  they  could  not  crawl,  up  an  almost  perpendicular  three 
miles,  and  then  find  that  they  were  on  the  back  of  a  hill,  as 
sharp  as  that  of  a  skeleton  horse,  whence  they  must  go  down 
again,  by  a  like  weary  descent,  into  the  gloom  and  darkness 
of  a  canyon  still  deeper,  in  the  bottom  of  which  were  grow- 
ing stalwart  pines,  that  seemed  to  them  but  stinted  shrubs. 
At  such  moments  they  would  stop  to  rest,  and  gaze  where 
no  sign  of  human  presence  was,  beyond  themselves,  and  no 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  237 

trace  of  man  had  been  left,  and  no  sound  was  heard  above 
In  the  wilds,  and  the  music  of  the  breeze  in  the  pine  boughs, 
among  rocks.  Jagged,  cragged,  broken,  abrupt,  fissured, 
seamed,  tossed,  jumbled,  stacked,  thrown  belter  skelter, 
were  all  the  materials  around  them,  which  scenery  is  made 
of,  and  it  was  a  strange  sight  to  look  on  them,  left  in  such  a 
chaos  of  order. 

Thus  they  pursued  their  way  through  the  land  of  trial, 
the  regions  of  ups  and  downs,  which  Chrysochron,  the  king 
of  the  country,  had  appointed  for  trying  the  patience  and  the 
pluck  of  all  prospectors  and  travelers.  At  length,  when  it 
was  toward  night,  they  came  suddenly  down  upon  a  miner, 
at  work  in  a  ravine.  He  was  by  himself,  though  others  were 
in  sight  below.  Ilis  was  the  only  strange  face  they  had 
•    seen,  in  some  hours,  and  it  was  pleasant  to  look 

A    soiitarj'    mi-  '  '  ■*• 

ner,  doing  well.  ^^  j^^  ^  uushaveu  as  it  was,  for  it  had  lines  of 
thought  in  it,  and  the  eyes  beamed  with  intelligence.  Their 
surprise  was  mutual ;  but  Pilgrim  broke  the  silence  by 
inquiring  about  his  health  and  success.  He  said  he  never 
was  heartier  in  his  life,  and  in  respect  to  his  digging,  he  had 
nothing  to  complain  of.  He  was  making  fair  wages,  and  he 
was  anxious  for  nothing  more.  Gold  was  good  ;  but  there 
A  mine  yielding  was  something  far  better  than  gold,  which  he 

something  better  i      i   r.  i    -i        •      ii  3        •  j? 

than  gold.  also  Searched  for,  daily,  m  the  sacred  mine  ot 

the  scriptures ;  and  he  pointed  to  a  well  worn  Bible,  lying 
by  his  gold  dust  box,  water  cup,  and  pan. 

Pilgrim  asked,  if  he  found  no  difficulty  in  trying  to  lead  a 
christian  life,  in  such  a  region,  and  in  such  circumstances. 
Yes  !  he  found  obstacles ;  but  not  greater  ones  than  he 
had  often  encountered  before,  though  of  a  different  sort. 
But,  he  did  not  measure  his  obligation  to  lead   a  christian 


238  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

life,  by  the  kind,  or  miniber,  of  the  tlifficultics  in  tbo  wny. 
A  riiristian  life  Ono  ouglit  to  be,  and  coiild  bo,  a  cluustian,  any 

prarficable       '",^^111  i  i  ' 

tiie  minps.  whcrc,  \vho  rciilly  meant  to  bo  one,  and  was 

constant  and  earnest  in  his  endeavors. 

Pilgrim  inquired  if  ho  found  any  to  sympathize  with  him, 
and  if  he  AA'crc  favored  with  christian  companions.  He  said 
there  Avere  a  few  in  tlie  region.  Some  of  them  wore  the 
best,  and  most  exemplary  men  he  had  ever  known.  They 
Some  true  men  ^^''^'"'^  ''^^^  ^hc  better,  hc  thought,  for  their  trials 
to  bo  found.  ^^^  exposures;  and  all  men  believed  it  was 
so  in  their  case.  But,  too  often,  wliat  once  seemed  good- 
ness in  men,  had  vanished  like  the  morning  mist.  He  was 
alone,  yet  not  alone.  In  respect  to  habits,  he  did  his  trading, 
prospecting,  visiting,  cleaning  up,  and  so  on,  of  a  Saturday 
afternoon,  and  kept  his  Sabliaths  (juietly,  and  rigidly ;  and 
he  believed  he  had  enjoyed  more  comfort,  and  had  more 
gold,  at  the  end  of  a  month,  than  most  of  his  neighbors,  in 
other  circumstances,  similar.  He  coukl  send  home,  at 
least,  a  hundred  dollars  a  month,  and  that  sum  would 
What   is   done  support  liis  SOU  at  coUcgc,  and  his  daughter 

witli  sold,  some-  ,       i  i       1  1  111 

times.  at  school ;  and  when  they  were  through,  he 

should    have    nothing   more    to    stay    in    California    for, 
unless  he  sent  and  brought  them  hither. 

Pilgrim  said,  he  thought  ho  must  be  a  happy  man  in 
his  contentment.  He  replied,  that  he  could  not  be 
otherwise.  He  was  gratifying  some  of  the  dearest  wishes  of 
his  heart,  and  believed  he  was  serving  God,  in  the  way  of 
his  duty.  By  this  time,  he  had  gathered  up  his  tools,  and 
was  ready  to  go  with  his  guests,  as  he  was  about  to  make 
all  three  of  them,  toward  his  log  cabin,  on  the  hill  side. 
The  good  man'i  ""^^^i*  ^  v'^^^y  ^"'1  ^car  a  clear  spring  of 
*"^'""'  water.     It  was    small    and   lowly,  but  could 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIxM.  239 


iaold  all.  It '  was  floored  and  neat  ;  and  there  was  an 
armed  chair  iu  it  made  of  natural  crooks  and  unshaven 
sticks,  with  a  sack  bottom.  It  was  rude  and  simple,  yet 
queer,  and  almost  handsome,  for  its  oddity.  There  was  a 
table,  of  the  same  fashion,  in  one  corner.  There  was  a 
Its  furniture.  shelf  of  books  and  daguerreotypes,  up  higli.  A 
mirror  hung  on  the  wall ;  and  also  files  of  the  Pacific  and 
other  papers.  There  was  a  stone  fire  place  and  chimney, 
at  the  end,  and  a  cupboard  over  the  fire  place,  where  was 
crockery  ware,  instead  of  tin. 

Mr.  Antirpiary  said  he  liad  seen,  in  new  countries,  a 
whole  family  stowed  away  in  a  liouse  far  less  comfortable. 
Keep  Faith  said  he  never  thought  to  find  such  a  man 
and  such  a  house  together,  iu  that  wild  region,  and  after  all 
he  had  heard  of  the  life  that  miners  led.  When  their 
supper  was  finished,  homely  though  it  had  been,  of  coarse 
fare,  and  no  large  variety,  a  keen  appetite  supplying  the 
Condiments  in  pl'^ce  of  many  condiments,  and  giving  a  relish 
'^''  *""'^'  that  no  delicacies  could,  they  went  down  a 

mile,  with  their  host,  to  a  bar  on  the  main  stream,  where 
were  many  miucrs  and  traders,  and  something  like  a  village. 

It  was  evening ;  and  the  tall,  dark  pines,  that  grew  around, 
added  a  gloom  as  well  as  a  grandeur  to  the  scene.  Lights 
were  dancing  thickly  about,  as  they  looked  from  the  height 
down  upon  the  scene,  and  men  were  passing  to  and  fro,  in 
Village  on  tho  all  directions.  As  they  went  along  the  narrow 
bar,  by  night.  street,  the  principal  gambling  saloon  threw  a 
glare  of  light  upon  it ;  and  the  drinking  shops  were  all  wide 
open,  though  the  night  was  chill,  and  somewhat  damp. 

As  they  were  passing,  a  noise  and  outcry  drew  them  to 
tho  farthest  quarter,  close  under  tho  hill  side.  Here  was 
QUO  of  the  stateliest  buildings  the  place  could  boast.     Two 


240  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


rooms  took  up  the  whole  of  tlie  lower  stor}'.  The  front  one 
Evening  walk,  was  a  lounging,  Or  sitting  room,  with  a  bar  in 
it ;  and  the  back  one  was  a  dancing  room.  There  was  also 
a  sort  of  piazza,  in  front  of  the  building,  whore  seats  were 
arranged.  There  were  scuius  of  men  hero,  as  lookers  on, 
or  revellers  in  dis.sipation. 

In  that  rear  ajiartnieiit,  were  miners  and  others,  with  nn 
gay  clothing  on,  nor  thin  >-Iipi»ers,  with  nnkemjit  hair,  and 
long  beards,  stamping  through  tlio  dance  with  perfect 
wilducss  and  abandon,  amid  clinids  df  dust,  :ind  with  siieh 
companions  as  vulgar,  smoking,  spitting,  painted,  swearing, 
females  can  make.  They  were  cheered  on  by  dinning, 
Things  seen  by  crashing  music,  and   the  bravos  of  spectators. 

night ;    not    un-    ,, 

usual    in     any  J3etwecu  the   sets,  all  adjourned  to  the  bar, 

towns  and  villa-  _  ' 

ges.  steaming,  and  sweating,  and  dusty,  to  refresh 

themselves  with  horrid  liquors,  and  get  into  the  spirit  of  a 
new  movement.  In  the  sitting  room  were  the  postmaster 
and  deputy  sherifF  playing  cards  with  their  favorite  courte- 
zans. On  the  piazza  was  the  principal  doctor,  with  a 
senorita  on  his  lap,  and  he  had  a  young  wife  at  home.  The 
law  partner  of  the  justice  of  the  peace  was  gallanting  another 
Spanish  woman  about  the  streets. 

3Ir.  Evenmind,  their  host,  said  he  knew  several  of  those 
who  were  in  the  house.  They  were  victims  of  their  passions 
Remarks  of  Mr.  dtirely.  For  two  ycais,  and  more,  they  had 
Evcimiind.  been  there,  and  every  dollar  obtained  was  spent 
in  such  places.  They  were  commonly  in  debt,  and  could 
not  ](ave,  without  running  away.  Most  of  them  were  of 
good  families.  Some  had  been  well  educated  ;  and  not  a 
few  had  families  of  their  own,  for  wliose  support  the}'  were 
doing  nothing  at  all. 

They  turned  away  from  the  scene,  filled  with  sadness  by 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  241 

what  they  saw.  It  appeared  to  them  like  the  hole  of  the 
pit ;  like  a  cave  of  witches  and  hags  in  an  orgie  ;  like  the  old 
fable  of  pans  and  satyrs,  bacchanals  and  bacchantes,  more 
than  made  real. 

They  retired  to  rest,  praying  against  temptation  ;  Mr. 
Antiquary  remarking,  that  California  seemed,  in  some 
respects,  to  open  a  new  chapter  in  civilization,  and  to  show, 
in  new  light,  the  power  of  corruption  over  men.  Xo  one 
could  ever  have  dreamed  the  half  they  had  witnessed. 

MORAL. 

Had  it  been  said,  at  the  time  of  the  Presidential  election 
in  1848,  that  at  the  end  of  four  years  a  large  and  powerful 
state  on  the  Pacific  coast  would  participate  in  the  election 
then  to  be  made,  to  most  the  thing  would  have  seemed 
vLsionary  and  chimerical.  Eut  our  e3^es  have  seen  it  all. 
The  thing  has  come  to  pass.  "We  are  here,  a  state,  two 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  strong.  We  are  growing 
in  importance.  We  are  rising  in  majesty.  We  have 
accomplished  what  the  world  never  saw  before.  It  has  been 
shown  what  wonders  a  people  can  perform.  A  new  experi- 
ment has  been  tried.  A  new  problem  solved.  We  are 
the  marvel  of  civihzatiou.  Enterprise,  wealth,  greatness, 
are  ours*  But,  amid  all  that  is  bright,  encouraging,  and 
full  of  promise  among  us  in  this  land,  California  is  reading 
us  a  lesson  in  civilization  of  another  sort.  It  is,  for 
substance,  this,  that  whatever  else  civilization,  with  all  its 
energy  and  progress,  may  do  for  mankind,  it  is  not  sufficient, 
of  itself,  to  renovate  humanity,  to  cultivate,  refine,  purify, 
and  ennoble  man's  moral  nature.  It  is  equal  to  no  such 
task.     It  fails  to  work  any  moral  wonders,  at  all  comparable 


242  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

to  its  acliievomcnts  in  science,  literature,  art,  and  govern- 
ment. And  the  failure  is  such  as  to  indicate  not  simply 
imperfection,  but  lamentable  weakness,  almost  utter 
impotency. 

There  have  been  civilizations  in  the  world  before  ours. 
Each  one  of  them  has  finally  proved,  either  too  much,  or  too 
little  for  itself,  and  has  .sunk  down  and  been  lost  amid  the 
corruptions  it  had  engendered  Our  civilization  is  showing 
the  same  weakness.  It  can  not  sustain  itself  at  this  high 
pitch  very  long.  Its  own  vices  will  destroy  it.  Something 
u^ust  hold  in  check,  or  eradicate  the  vices  of  our  civilization, 
or  itself  will  be  engulphed.  "What  thing  shall  it  be .'  What 
remedy  is  suflicient  for  the  evil  .- 

In  Christianity  it  must  be  found,  or  nowhere.  It  is 
Christianity  that  has  preserved  modern  civilization  so  long  ; 
that  has  kept  it,  cumbered,  as  it  has  been,  with  its  own 
vices,  from  being  utterly  overborne  by  them.  Christianity 
has  done  so  much.  It  can  do  more.  We  arc  foredoomed 
without  it.  ^V^i  must  be  saved  from  our  corruptions.  We 
must  be  redeemed  from  the  thraldom  of  lust.  The  religion 
of  Christ  alone  can  save  us  from  them.  He  alone  can 
redeem  us.  And  every  one  who  fails  to  support  christian 
institutions  hero,  and  ministers  and  churches ;  who  does  not 
try  to  promote  the  spread  of  tho  gospel  in  its  power  among 
us,  lacks  patriotism,  lacks  wisdom,  lacks  love.  He  is 
doing  naught  to  root  out  the  vioes  gendered  by  civiliza- 
tion in  man's  inherent  depravity;  and,  therefore,  is 
writing  a  ecntenee  of  reprobation  on  himself,  and  sealing 
his  country's  doom. 


LECTURE     XII 


The  light  of  day  vras  creeping  down  stealthily  into  the 
depths  of  the  chasm,  and  relieving  the  sombre  shade  of  the 
evergreen  trees,  beneath  whose  branches  the  sunbeams  rarely 
strayed,  when  ^Ir.  Evenmind,  the  lone  miner,  arose,  as  I 
saw  in  my  dream,  and  lighted  his  candle,  and  began  to 
Mornin?  medi-  prepare  the  morning's  repast ;  reading  his 
tation.s.  Bible  at  intervals.      The  guests  also  were  soon 

astir  ;  and  together  they  breakfasted  cheerfully.  Then  they 
sang:  "Once  more  my  soul  the  rising  day,"  and  joined  in 
devout  thanksgivings  and  prayer. 

Pilgrim  and  his  companinHS  left  the  excellent  man,  who 
was  there  digging  gold,  reluctantly,  yet  with  blessings. 
They  knew  they  should  meet  again,  though  not  in  the  gold 
fields  of  the  Occident,  nor  by  the  flow  of  these  mountain 
They  should  all  sti'cams  ;  but,  rather  in  the  golden  streets  of 
mpet  again.  ^^^  ^.j^-y^  whosc  entrance  is  by  the  gates  of 
twelve  pearls,  and  by  the  flowery  banks,  and  dropping  fruits 
of  the  "  river  of  water  of  life  ;"  and  so  there  was  a  gladness 
mingled  with  their  regrets. 

They  now  descended  again  to  the  village  on  the  bar, 
which  they  had   gone  through  the  previous  evening,  to  see 


244  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

its  appearance  by  night.  The  sun  was  scarcely  risen  enough 
The  village  bv  *^  i^hiuc  into  the  vale,  yet  there  was  bustling  in 
daylight.  ^Yic  street,  and  around  the   door  of  one  of  the 

hou.ses,  a  large  crowd  was  gathered.  On  inquiry,  they 
learned  that  a  man  was  dying  there  of  a  wound  received  in 
a  fjanibliiiff  saloon,  a  .few  hours  before,  at  the  hands  of  a 
monto  dealer,  whom  he  had  accused  of  cheating.  Volun- 
teers had  gone  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitive  murderer ;  and  the 
crowd  were  in  constant  expectation  of  seeing  him  brought 
back,  or  of  hearing  that  he  had  been  caught,  lynched,  and 
hung. 

Having  gone  forward  a  few  rods,  they  saw,  at  the  pest 
house  of  iniquity,  creatures  faded,  disheveled,  pale,  and 
Seeking  fre>h  haggard,  in  feminine  garb,  with  a  cold,  miser- 
air  and  warmth,  .^i^j^^  shivering  aspect,  creeping  out  to  find  a 
breath  of  untainted  air,  and  catch  a  ray  of  warmth  from  the 
sun's  early  beams.  How  changed  they  were  from  the 
beings  that  wore  the  paint,  frippery,  glitter,  gaiety,  and 
mirtli,  apparent  daring  the  first  hours  of  the  preceding  night ! 

Now  I  saw,  that  they  made  their  way  from  this  mining 
village,  aiKl  out  of  the  bed  of  Eruin  Creek,  by  a  steep  and 
rugged  path,  that  went,  winding  up  the  bold  ascent,  among 
rocks,  and  trees,  across  small  ravines,  and  through  narrow 
Thev  reave  the  P'lsses,  till  it  reached  a  commanding  height, 
valley,  &  climb.    jjg,.g  ^j^^^^  j^.^^j  ^  ^AVjiQ  tract  of  couutry  in  full 

view,  on  every  side.  And  here  they  found  a  man,  with  his 
equipments,  and  a  mule,  who  had  been  camping  out,  and 
was  getting  ready  for  a  start. 

They   inquired  of  him  about  the  best  road.     He  said  he 
was  going  the   same  way,  on  a  prospecting  tour,  and  would 
bear  them  company,  if  they  wished.     They  readily  assented 
for  they  wished  to  go  by  the  best  and  nearest  path,  and  were 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  245 

rather  glad  to  have  a  guide.  As  they  proceeded  onward 
together,  the  mule  traveling  in  advance  of  them,  the 
prospector  was  somewhat  rallied  from  the  gloom  that  had 
evidently  been  oppressing  him.  And,  when  he  learned  the 
character  and  aims  of  his  fellow  travelers,  he  became  con- 
fidential and  communicative.  He  told  theiu  how  tenderly 
and  carefully  he  had  been  reared,  and  what  hopes  his 
The  story  of  hia  P'^rents  had  indulged  concerning  him,  and  how 
early  years.  j^^  j^^j  disregarded  their  wishes  and  plans,  and 
betaken  himself  to  a  roving  life. 

He  was  early  attracted  to  Bustledom,  and  came  hither 
along  with  a  host  of  adventurers.  He  did  not  succeed  woll 
in  mining.  The  work  was  too  laborious  for  him,  considering 
his  feeble  frame  and  his  former  habits  of  life,  and  was,  also, 
iMinins  and  tra-  too  Confining  and  tcdious.  Trading  was  not 
''"'=■  much    better;    and    he    had  gone   from    '^^no 

business  to  the  other,  several  times ;  but  fortune  never 
smiled  on  him.  He  tlicu  became  a  clerk,  in  a  larg^  town, 
A     clerk,     he  and,  at  tiuies,  had  much  leisure.     He  played 

drops    intu     the  .  .  i      J 

saloons.  games  for  amusement  with  fiiends,  as   others 

did.  He  acquired  skill.  He  dropped,  now  and  then,  into 
the  gaming  saloons,  of  an  evening,  and  watched  the  on- 
goings there.  He  was  on  good  terms  with  every  body,  and 
learned  numerous  secrets  of  the  art.  He  began  playino-  in 
earnest,  and  for  a  wager.  His  successes,  in  a  small  way, 
fascinated  him.  He  overcame  all  his  misgivings  and 
scruples,  as  well  as  he  could,  and  took  up  the  business  for 
Progress  in  evil,  himself,  and  kept  a  table.  By  the  utmost 
diligence  and  economy,  for  he  was  not  vicious  in  his  habits, 
and  cared  only  to  get  money,  and  by  the  plying  of  his 
Gets  gains,  but  utmost   skill,    throuo-h  loner  nights   of  excite- 

they  do  him  no  '  o  o        e 

good.  ment,  weariness,  vexation,  and  toil,  for  months, 


24G  THi:    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

he  accumulated  several  tliousantl  dollars.  Then  he  was  seized 
with  a  brain  tcver,  and  a  hundred  ills  and  ailments  followed 
in  its  train.  His  last  dollar  was  gone  for  expenses,  before 
he  was  well  enough  to  go  about  any  business. 

So  the  curse  had  followod  him.  He  knew  he  did  wrong. 
Thccurso.  It  was  the    Almighty's   curse.      Clod     would 

not  let  men  uuike  money  Ijy  gambling.  It  would  not  slay 
with  gamblers.  They  either  became  corrupt  and  wicked, 
and  spent  their  gains  in  debauch,  or  el.se  divine  Providence 
took  it  from  them  in  some  severe  way.  He  knew  this  was 
the  history  of  all  the  ill  gotten  gains  of  gamesters,  so  far  as 
he  knew  anything  about  them.  It  was  time  for  him  to 
Reform.  abandon    that    course    of    life,   and    he    had 

abandoned  it.  For,  if  he  made  gains  by  it,  yet  once  more, 
he  knew  the  Almighty  would  never  let  him  keep  them.  He 
was  going  north  to  seek  some  better  employment. 

Pilgrim  imjuired  if  such  feelings  and  views  were  commou 
among  the  saloons  and  gamesters.  Seely  Jarre,  for  that 
was  his  name,  said,  that  many  of  those  men  had  been  reared 
as  he  had  been,  and  were  educated,  refined,  polite,  and 
kindly  in  their  feelings.  They  loved  good  things,  they 
wiiatsortofinen  respected  virtuous   people,   they   reverenced 

are  found  in  tlic 

saloons.  religion,  and  were  glad  to  know  there  were 

christian  influences  at  work  in  the  community.  They  were 
generous  and  benevolent.  They  were  exact  and  honest 
with  those  they  employed.  They  were  glad  to  give,  -and 
would  give  liberally  to  objects  of  charity,  and  to  christian 
enterprises. 

But  the  ruling  spirits  of  those  circles  were  not  often  of 
this  sort.  Sometimes  they  were  the  very  reverse  ;  so  that 
the  others  could  not  act  out  the  good  they  felt.  And  then 
there  were  temptations  about  the  business,  and  it  involved 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  247 

a  wrong",  and  the  whole  tendency  of  it  was   downward  ;  and 

Bad   tendencies.    SO,    in    COUl'Se    of  tiuiC,  thosc    who    followod     it 

against  their  convictions,  lost  the  sense  of  wrong  they  once 
had,  by  destroying  it,  or  stifling  it  with  the  rubbish  and  filth 
of  evil  doing. 

Mr.  Antiquary  said,  he  knew,  in  '50,  a  young  man  who 
had  his  wife  with  him.  He  saw  them  on  the  way  from  a 
country  town  to  Embankment.  They  had  three  thousand 
dollars  in  silver,  and  as  much  more  in  gold,  in  their  buggy. 
The  man  had  made  this  iu  a  short  time  by  gambling.  He 
A  sad  history.  was  now  going  to  play  and  operate  on  a  larger 
scale  in  Embankment.  The  wife  was  an  interesting  lady. 
She  was  opposed  to  his  pursuit,  but  could  not  persuade  him 
from  it.  They  were  fond  of,  and  faithful  to,  each  other. 
In  the  course  of  the  season,  he  heard  that  the  young  man 
had  been  broken.  He  had  fallen  'into  the  hands  of  the 
unscrupulous  blacklegs  and  sharpers,  and  they  had  contrived 
to  pluck  him  of  every  dime  he  had,  to  break  down  his 
reputation  in  their  set,  and  so  to  turn  him  from  their  honor- 
able company,  except  as  a  tool  and  dependent.  And 
thus  they  had  left  him  to  support  his  wife  as  he  could.  The 
result  could  not  but  be  foreseen.  The  husband  fell  to  drink- 
ing and  desperation  ;  and  what  became  of  them,  afterwards, 
he  knew  not. 

Keep  Faith  said  he  used  to  judge  all  gaming  men  harshly, 
and  call  them  all  infamous ;  but  he  had  learned  that  they 
were  not  all  of  the  same  sort  and  degree,  though  all  were 
guilty  of  a  serious  crime  against  society,  and  themselves. 
There  were  just  such  differences  among  them,  as  among 
other  viciously  inclined  men.  And  there  were  those  who 
could  be  reached,  and  be  saved  from  the  ruin  that  menaced 


'J48  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

A  plea  for  icn-  tlicni.  Ovcr  Certain  minds,  tliere  was  no 
nient  an(!  ^coinl  fascinatioH  likc  that  of  games  of  chance  and 
passion.  g|.jjj      jj.    yfQ^^\^[    grow    into   an  all  absorbiuj^ 

passion.  He  had  known  men  and  women,  in  higli  circles, 
who  played  only  for  pleasure,  that  neither  read  nor  thought 
of  aught  else  than  their  games  for  months  and  years.  He 
thought  our  feelings  toward  many  of  our  gamblers  in  I3us- 
tledom  shouM  bo  that  of  compa<;sion,  rather  tliau  hate.  We 
were  too  much  iu  the  habit  of  lumping  them  together,  and 
loading  them  with  liard  names  and  curses. 

Mr.  Scely  Jarre  said,  it  wa.s,  in  truth,  the  vice  of  vices, 
to  those  who  were  under  its  spell.  It  drew  men,  so  almost 
irresistibly,  iata  the  indulgence  and  practice  of  all  other 
The  saying  of  viccs,  from  lughcst  to  lowcst.  The  vciy  fivct 
;Xr'h"e ''"had  that  one  was  a  gambler,  to  the  smallest  extent, 
experienced.  caused  him  to  be  regarded  by  the  panderers  to 
all  other  vices  as  their  legitimate  victim  ;  and  if  one  aspired 
to  consideration,  as  a  gamester,  he  must  sjtond  money  freely, 
at  stands,  stables,  bars,  rcvstaurauts,  brothels,  and  the  like, 
or  be  thought  close,  mean,  and  poor.  He  would  lack* 
otherwise,  the  esprit  du  corps,  and  be  looked  on  as  one  who 
degraded  the  dignity  of  his  calling. 

The  conversation  with  this  man  had  so  absorbed  the 
attention  of  Pilgrim  and  his  friend.?,  that  they  had  gone  over 
hills,  and  through  vales,  and  by  houses  numerous,  and  had 
scarcely  taken  a  passing  notice  of  them  ;  and  they  were 
already  in  sight  of  the  little  mining  town  of  On  Hand  and 
They  come    in  Ruo-o-ed,    witli    its   oue    storv    houscs,    huts, 

sieht  of  Roiigli  o=      '  .  i      i  ,  i 

and  Ready.  cabins,  and  shanties,  perched  up  there  on    tue 

very  rockiest,  and  most  uncouth  hill  side  in  all  the  region. 
Ere  they  mounted  up  to  this  renowned  village,  the  roads 
divided,    and    they  took  affectionate   leave    of   Mr.    Seely 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  249 

Jarre,  wishing  him  honest  prosperity  for  the  future,  and  a 
persevering  manliness. 

As  they  were  climbing  the  hill,  a  youth,  mounted  on  a 
white  mule,  overtook  them.  He  said  he  was  agent  and 
clerk  for  a  company,  that  had  water,  claims,  tools,  cabins, 
They  nii^ht hear  and  SO  on,  to  let  or  Sell,  and  that,  by  calling 

something        to 

their  advantage,  on  Messrs.  Seezuiu  &.  Pluck,  they  would  hear 
of  something  to  their  advantage;  Advice  gratis.  They 
could  state  to  these  gentlemen,  that  Mr.  Yapid  Thinn 
recommended  them  to  call.  He  gave  them  a  card,  also, 
with  directions,  and  then  he  spurred  up,  to  overtake  a 
traveler  ahead. 

Mr.  Antiquary  said,  the  young  gentleman's  face  was  too 
much  like  a  hatchet.  Pilgrim  said,  he  was  altogether  too 
polite,  because  his  was  unnatural  politeness.  Keep  Faith 
said,  he  used  too  much  bear's  oil  in  cultivating  his  face,  and 
took  too  much  pains  to  wear  a  sort  of  dandy  miner's  dress. 
Dandyism  in  the  ^oi'j  singular  as  it  might  seem,  in  either  case, 
country.  there  were  dandies  among  miners,  as  well  as 

among  ministers ;  and  he  didn't  know  which  took  the  palm, 
they  were  so  evenly  matched. 

So  they  decided  that  Mr;  Thinn's  object  was  too  trans- 
parent, and  that  Messrs.  Seezum  &  Pluck  could  hardly  be 
men  whom  it  would  profit  themselves  to  call  on.  They 
only  stopped  in  this  finished  town;  finished,  it  would  seem, 
by  having  been  partially  abandoned  when  half  built,  to  get  a 
drink  of  pure  water,  and  rest  their  limbs  a  moment.  Nor 
A  case  of  diffi-  '^^re  they  able  at  once  to  fix  upon  the  struc- 
'"'^y'  ture  in  the  place,  which,  by  common  consent, 

might  be  regarded  as  the  model  edifice,  the  ornament  of  the 
village,  and  the  pride  of  the  inhabitants. 

Leaping  mud  holes  and  clmibing  ledges,  they  got  up,  at 
17 


250  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

length,  to  the  brow  of  the  hill ;  but,  wheu  they  looked  l>:iek 
to  survey  the  place  agaiu,  and  decide  the  ijuestion  in  doubt, 
the  whole  town  was  lost  to  their  view.  Escaping,  by  some 
dexterous  passes  and  plunges,  the  niirc  of  several  ditches 
that  ran  mud,  as  thick  as  hasty  pudding,  made  of  water  and 
red  earth,  or  brick  dust,  they  journeyed  on,  through  a 
pleasant  region,  of  slope,  intervale,  woodland,  and  mining 
scenes,  for  some  miles,  and  were  delighted  on  finding 
The  hill  that  themsclvcs  so  soon  upon  a  height,  overlooking 
VaUcy.  Herb  vale,  with  its  green  flat,  forest  border, 

swelling  hills  in  the  distance,  its  thriving  village,  and  noisy 
bustle,  and  driving  mills. 

They  were  weary,  and  somewhat  travel  stained,  as  they 
passed  down  through  the  main  street.  But  Mr.  Antiquary 
soon  had  them  to  the  house  of  his  old  friend,  one  3Ir. 
Staybill,  a  lawyer,  of  as  much  benevolence  as  ability,  and  a 
Mr.  Staybill  his  g^^d  deal  of  botli,  Hcrc  they  dined  and  were 
'""'■  refreshed ;  and   they    heard  from  the  lips  of 

their  new  friend  the  history  of  the  vale,  and  of  the  enterprises 
v.'hich  had  made  it  famous  across  two  oceans. 

M'ith  him  they  visited  quartz  veins,  crushing  mills,  saw 
mills,  flat  diggings,  and  all  the  spots  of  interest  and  note  in 
the  immediate  vicinity,  not  omitting  the  little  church,  that 
might  have  been  larger,  and  should  never  have  been  allowed 
to  fall  into  its  present  anomalous  condition. 

The  moral  aspect  of  the  town  was  good,  as  compared  with 
Further  obser-  some  of  the  churchless  villages  of  the  state  ; 
vations.  1^^^^  -^  ^j^  ^Q^  g^  ^g|j  correspond  with  the  good 

taste,  beauty,  enterprise,  and  high  qualities,  exhibited  in 
other  forms.  There  was,  however,  something  of  a  worldly 
look  about  nearly  all  they  saw,  and  the  enticements  and 
concomitants  of  vice  were  neither  blushing  nor  hidden ;  and 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  251 

the  saloons  and  hotels  monopolized  too  much   of  the  glory 
of  Herb  vale  even. 

Pilgrhu  and  the  rest  were  anxious  to  lodge  at  Nivalis, 
and  were  constrained,  therefore,  to  depart,  in  spite  of  Mr. 
Staybill's  entreaties  that  they  would  tarry  with  him.  They 
were  scarcely  out  of  sight  of  the  town,  when  they  were  met 
by  a  burly,  portly  man,  whose  face  indicated  that  he  wa|. 
A  man  of  port,  troubled  with  uo  ail,  unless  it  might  be  brown 

with  (Incuinents  '-' 

and  papers.  stout.  The  brcast  pockcts  of  his  coat  were 
overstuffed  with  documents  and  papers,  and  his  hat  was 
very  broad  brimmed.  He  rode  a  fine  horse,  and  sat  him 
with  as  much  importance  as  if  he  owed  nothing  for  him,  or 
for  his  own  keeping.  This  man  would  not  allow  the 
travelers  to  pass  without  looking  at  his  specimens,  which  he 
had  in  the  saddlebags  under  him.  He  dismounted  and 
displayed  them ;  spread  out  a  chart  of  the  district ;  and 
Companies,  showed   the   locations   of  the   leads,  and  the 

."hares,       veins,  .  ,      -  t       i  ,    .     i        i 

mills,  and  so  on.  specnueus  marked  accordingly  ;  stated  the 
capital,  and  number  of  shares  in  the  companies  he  belonged 
to,  and  the  yield,  per  pound,  of  the  veins  he  was  interested 
in,  and  how  much  the  mill  would  crush,  when  finished,  and 
what  dividends  they  might  look  for  on  each  share,  per  month. 

Pilgrim  resigned  himself  to  hear  the  story  through,  seeino- 
there  was  no  help  for  it.  Mr.  Antiquary  explained  to  the 
man  their  condition,  and  said  they  were  obliged  to  him  for 
his  information  ;  but  added,  that  they  could  not  comply 
with  his  wishes  in  buying  stock,  claims,  and  shares,  f^r  they 
could  pay  no  money  down,  nor  meet  assessments  ;  and,  so 
far  as  he  knew,  the  principal  business,  heretofore,  of  stock 
holders  in  such  concerns  had  been,  as  in  some  noted  quartz 
companies,  to  pay  assessments,  rather  than  receive  dividends. 

Well,  Mr.  J.  Q.  Harpendiug  said,  here  were  splendid 


252  Tin:    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


opportunities  for  getting  an  honest  fortune.  They  could  go 
gpeech   of  Mr.  iuto  the    euiploy  of  tlie  company  and  work 

.lu  [liter    Quartz  ,       .  ,    ,  in 

iiarpciKiin;;.  out  the  invcstmcnt  and  then  secure  the  profits. 
They  could  not  do  better,  and  ought  to  confer  such  a  large 
henefit  on  their  friends,  if  not  on  themselves.  Any  man 
who  had  two  hands,  and  kept  a  good  heart,  could  make  a 
fortune  in  this  way. 

Mr.  Antiquary  replied,  that  his  observation  showed  him 
well,  that  there  were  men  with  two  hands,  the  heart  he 
couldn't  describe  readily,  who  could  make  a  speedy  fortune 
in  quartz  stock,  and  other  joint  stock  companies  ;  but  it  was 
those  who  got  up  the  concerns,  and  peddled  out  the  shares, 
and  not  the  buyers,  who  seemed  to  get  the  money.  No 
doubt  many  of  them  regarded  it  as  a  marvellously  fine 
business  ;  he,  Mr.  H.,  looked  himself  as  though  it  had  not 
worried  him  ;  and  so  he  wished  him  good  evening.  Thus 
they  parted  ;  and  the  travelers  moved  on.  It  was  a  public 
Specimen       of  road  they  pursued  ;  but  such  an  execrable  one 

public  roads  and  i  i      i  i  ' 

highways.  for   a   great    thoroughfare,   they    had  rarely 

trodden ;  and  all  Bustledom  might  be  safely  challenged  to 
furnish  such  another.  As  they  were  afoot,  however,  their 
necks  were  not  in  special  danger ;  and  they  managed  to 
pick  their  way  along,  where  stage  passengers  had  usually 
resorted  to  the  same  primitive  method  of  locomotion,  in 
order  to  avoid  an  upsetting. 

They  were  obliged  to  hasten  forward  by  the  lateness  of 
the  hour,  and  were  making  their  way  between  campus  auri 
and  rivulus  auri,  when  another  obstacle  encountered  them, 
in  the  shape  of  a  piece  of  speculative  humanity,  somewhat 
dwarfed,  and  having  a  hump  on  his  back,  that  seemed  an 
Atmountaia  cav-  offset  for  the  enormous  ears  of  the  scurvy 
*^^*'"  little  mule,  which  was  trudgmg  along  between 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  253 


his  legs,  very  lengthy,  considering  the  rest  of  him.  This 
man's  nose  was  hooked,  and  not  unlike  a  parrot's  beak,  but 
a  good  deal  redder,  and  his  eyes  were  silver  grey,  and 
small.  His  drab  wool  hat  had  long  been  serviceable  both 
night  and  day,  and  was  rapidly  going  to  seed. 

This  person  announced  himself  as  on  the  look  out  for 
hands  to  work  his  claims,  or  customers  to  sell  out  to.  His 
name  was  Jonathan  Jointstock,  from  some  place  down  cast. 
He  would  rather  sell  out  clean,  as  he  was  anxious  to  return 
to  the  Atlantic  States,  on  account  of  the  death  of  some  near 
relations. 

Keep  Faith  said,  somewhat  aside,  that  he  had  seen  those 
Anxious  to  re-  who  wcrc  in  this  fix  before,  and  just  as  their 
eni  states.  '  stocks  wcrc  sold,  and  their  aflPairs  settled,  their 
anxiety  seemed  to  be  relieved,  and  better  news  would  come, 
just  in  time  to  preserve  them  from  any  necessity  of  going. 
It  was,  perhaps,  one  of  those  proceedings  called  a  ruse,  so 
much  in  vogue  among  mechanics  and  merchants  in  Embank- 
ment, and  other  cities,  who  often  sold  oif  "at  cost."  Mr. 
Jointstock  would  pay  three  dollars  a  day,  a  hand,  and  the 
hands  must  go  where  he  sent  theni,  and  be  sub  let,  if  ho 
wished  it. 

He  would  sell  coyote  claims  for  five  hundred  dollars  each  •, 
the  pay  to  come  out  of  the  first  proceeds.  He  would  sell 
Terms  of  sale  lor  the  new  caual  stock,  ditch  not  yet  finished,  for 

storks,      shares,  .  ,.    .  i  i        i  i.         TJ- 

and  claims.  a  prenuuui  of  two    hundred   per   cent.     Mis 

shares  in  two  quartz  mills,  and  unworked  leads,  he  would 
sell,  seeing  it  was  they,  and  they  looked  like  shrewd,  steady, 
industrious,  and  respectable  men,  such  as  he  wished  to 
encourage,  for  something  like  their  par  value,  perhaps,  at 
ten  per  cent,  discount,  if  that  would  be  any  object  to  th3m. 
3Ir.  Jointstock  was  very  glad  he  had  met  them,  for  ho 


254  THE    CALIFORNIA    Pfl.CRIM. 


would  like  to  serve  tliein,  and  he  would  specially  warn  theui 
Disintprrstpd  to  be  on  tlieir  jxuiird  against  lieartless  spceula- 

nian   giving  ad-  ''  ,  '        .     ,. 

vice.  tors,  monopolists,  ana  capitalists,  and  to  Jooif 

out  for  their  own  interests.  There  could  be  no  conception 
of  the  number  of  those  who  had  put  money  and  labor  into 
some  great  concerns,  where  they  had  to  watch  the  managers 
all  the  while,  to  keep  any  title  to  it ;  had  to  pay  assessments, 
and  then  were  never  able  to  have  any  command  of  the 
capital.  They  could  neither  get  it  out,  nor  sell  it  out,  an<l 
so  were  losing,  both  their  time  and  their  means,  in  looking 
after  what  they  once  had,  but  likely,  never  would  have 
again.  He,  Mr.  Jointstock,  knew  how  the  leading  parties 
in  these  company  affairs  managed. 

They  located  a  claim  ;  they  surveyed  a  ditch,  or  what 
not ;  they  sold  out  the  shares  here  and  there,  keeping  many 
Manaiienipni  of  in  their  owu  hand.^,  if  the  lead  was  a  fine  one, 

joint  .-tock  com-  .  .       ,     .       , 

panies.  and  the  thing,  in  their  view,  would  pay  ;  if  not, 

they  slipped  out  entirely,  and  in  haste.  AVhen  it  promised 
well  for  them,  they  would  set  to  work  to  get  the  whole  into 
a  few  hands.  They  would  call  meetings  of  the  company, 
often  at  inconvenient  time?;,  and  many  shareholders  would 
hear  nothing  of  them.  Then  they  would  vote  heavy 
assessments  ;  all  the  shareholders  would  not  be  able  to  pay 
them,  and  the  stock  of  such  would  therefore  be  forfeited. 
Forfeited  shares.  Others  would  iiever  hear  that  installments 
were  due,  and  their  shares  would  become  forfeit,  and  be 
bought  in  by  the  managers.  They  would  expend  the  money 
received,  so  as  to  produce  nothing,  and  weary  and  badger 
the^most  into  refusal  to  pay  more  installments.  So  when  by 
this  jjrocess  they  had  it  all  their  own  way,  they  would  be 
found  in  possession  of  a  fine  lead,  machinery,  buildings, 
funds,  and  much  else,  and  could  go  on  swimmingly. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  255 

Pilgrim  said  his  arguments  and  explanations  seemed  to 
bear  very  much  against  himself,  Mr.  Jointstock.  But  it 
mattered  not,  since  he  and  the  others  were  not  prospectors, 
and  could  not  purchase  :iuy  thing;  and  the  mission  they 
were  on  did  not  give  them  time  to  stop  any  where  for  money's 
sake  ;  though  they  were  bound  to  think  all  his  enterprises 
were  excellent  ones  ;  and  they  hoped  he  would  not  be  too 
Reasoned  with,  anxious  to  Sell  out,  lest  that  foct  should  throw 
some  suspicion  on  his  motives  ;  and  it  was  hardly  fair  to  stop 
men  on  the  street  in  order  to  make  customers  out  of  them, 
especially  when  it  was  so  near  night. 

Mr.  Jointstock  moved  oft",  muttering  to  himself,  eloquence 
all  wasted;  time  lost;  while  he  thrust  his  huge  boots  as 
near  the  mule  as  he  could  get  them,  by  reason  of  the 
projection  of  six  inches  of  spur  iron.  Now,  when  they  had 
gotten  safely  over  the  holes,  mud,  slabs,  logs,  saw  dust,  and 
Road  at  Gold-  sucli  things,  at  the  run,  that  furnished  no  road 
'^""*  where    it   was    thought    to  be  ;  they  crooked 

about  the  woods,  awhile,  and  came,  of  a  sudden,  to  the 
brink  of  a  ravine,  down  which  the  road  went,  by  many  a 
turn,  and  steep  declivity.  It  was  no  wider,  seemingly,  than 
the  track  of  a  wheel  barrow.  Down  at  the  base  of  the  hill 
Deer  Creek.  was  the  bed  of  Ccrvus  Creek,  which  had  been 
torn,  washed,  dammed,  dug,  riddled,  and  sifted,  times 
numerous ;  and  was  full  of  the  wrecks  of  nature,  the 
remnants  of  human  labor,  and  Ihe  exuviae  of  gold  deposits. 
And  down  the  vale,  far  down  ;  where  one  other  creek,  whose 
channel  had  been  dug  and  washed  in  like  manner,  joined 
the  former  ;  there,  in  the  midst  of  pines,  and  underneath 
their  lofty  tops,  on  the  unevenest  of  un&haped  hillocks,  and 
in  their  hollows ;  there,  where  no  mortal  would  ever  have 
looked  for  a  town,  except  on  compulsion  of  knowledge  ;  there, 


256  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


where  the  sun  no  longor  slioue,  though  his  beams  yet  played, 
lingerinii,  on  the  jiieen  boutrhs  above,  and  tinged  and 
The  situation  of  tipped  many  a  cone  and  pointed  top  with  a 

the  city  of  Neva-  n        i  i  •    • 

tia  golden    glory    richer     than    all    tlie.   shnung 

grains  beneath,  that  nourished  not  the  trees  in  their  beauty 
and  majesty  ;  down  there,  where  were  many  crookednesses, 
while  yet  the  place  was  too  strait  for  the  city,  stood  the  city 
of  Nivalis,  as  i]uietly  as  if  nature  had  intended  that  a  city 
should  grow  up  there. 

Overlooking  all  the  city,  and  (juitc  up  into  the  air,  rose 
the  modest  tower  of  the  first  mountain  church,  that  aspired 
to  be  a  church,  in  its  shape  and  surroundings,  neat  and 
white,  and  contrasting  vividly  with  the  deep  foliage  of  the 
pines,  that  darkened  the  very  air  with  their  shadows.  They 
now  betook  them  to  the  task  of  descending  into  the  city 
Down  the  hill  &  Streets,  and  finding  the  little  bridges  that 
through  the  city,  i^jicatcd  whcrc  the  channels  might  be.  They 
mounted  the  steep  pitch  of  a  hill,  in  the  broadest  street  they 
could  see,  and  came  up  to  a  corner  pine,  and  thence  were 
conducted  to  the  house  of  llev.  Mr.  Ilenwar,  hard  by  that  of 
Rev.  Mr.  Mildair. 

At  home  they  met  the  former,  and  Anna,  his  wife,  by 
whom  they  were  made  welcome.  While  they  were  at  the 
tea  table,  the  clear,  rich  tones  of  a  large  church  bell  fell  on 
"The  sound  of  their  ears,  as  they  went  ringing  and  echoing 

the  church  going 

hell."  over  hill  and  valley,  telling  the  miners,  worn 

and  weary,  sweet  stories  of  the  homes  and  scenes  from  which 
they  were  scattered  far.  Tiie  bell  was  summoning  them, 
with  all  the  prayerful  and  devout  in  the  region,  to  the 
weekly  conference.  And  there  was  Pilgrim  introduced  to 
i}\Q  few  that  loved  to  pray,  and  were  delighted  to  mingle  in 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  257 


scenes  that  brought  them  so  near  to  the  joys  of  home,  and  to 
The  prayer  ineei-  the   blissfulness   of   hcavcii,  aucl    made   them 

ing,     and      those  i         •    i        i         i       i  n      ^^    ^  ^  I'll 

present.  kmdred  With  the  holy  of  all  lands,  and  with  the 

saints  in  glory.  It  was  with  special  delight  they  met  the 
young  men,  whos3  good  report  they  had  heard  before,  who 
were  in  the  habit  of  walking  not  less  than  sis  miles  thither, 
and  six  back,  that  they  might  be  at  the  regular  meetings, 
and  who  accounted  it  no  hardship  thus  to  do,  but  rather  a 
pleasure  and  a  jo}',  for  which  their  hearts  longed  and  their 
limbs  were  ready. 

After  this,  as  they  sat  together,  Mr.  Ilcnwar  told  them 
the  story  of  Nivalis;  its  early  growth,  hopes,  progress, 
resources,  obstacles,  misfortunes,  and  final  triumphs;  and 
"Fought  all  his  liow  his  cliurch  was    erected,   and   what    his 

battles  o'er  .  .  .  ,        , 

again."  labors    Were   in    connection   with   the  enter- 

prise, and  whence  the  funds  were  drawn.  They  were  a 
good  deal  instructed,  and  not  a  little  entertained  ;  and  they 
retii'ed  to  rest  with  gladness,  and  with  thanksgivings. 

Early  the  following  day,  they  all  visited  the  points  of 
interest  in  that  region ;  the  sluices,  toms,  holes,  anil 
Coyote  hill  and  excavatlons  along  the  coyote  lead.  The  high 
mountain.  top  of  Sugar  Loaf  hill  they  went  to,  and  to  Wet 

hill,  and  to  the  region  back.  They  also  went  down  to  the 
Bunker  Hill  mill,  the  Gold  Tunnel  works,  and  a  half  dozen 
At  the  greatfaiis  Other   Crushing  mills.     Afterward,  they  went 

in  Deer  Creek.      ^^.^^   g^   f^^.   j^^^^   ^^^   ^^^   ^^jj^^  ^j.^,   ^.j^^  ^^^^^ 

and  the  fiimous  works  there. 

And  into  wild  and  dark  ghns,  over  rocks  and  ledges, 
upon  high  hills,  and  through  all  varieties  of  diggings,  they 
also  went ;  and  thus  they  saw,  whence,  grain  by  grain,  and 
parcel  by  parcel,  are  wrought  the  treasures  of  the  golden 
land,  so  faeinating  to  them  that  dwell   afar,  and  so  full  of 


25S  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


trouble  to  them  that  are  near.  And  they  perceived  how 
Gold  is  gotten  by  rarely  gold  was  gotten,  but  at  the  price  of 
'"'""'•  toil  and   sweat,  and  how    it    must   ever   be 

true,  even  where  the  soil  sparkles  witli  gold,  and  the 
mountains  arc  sown  with  gems,  and  burn  with  sapphires, 
that,  ill  the  sweat  of  his  face  man  shall  eat  his  bread. 

They  liad  seen  a  world  of  treasure  to  be  gotten  only  by  a 
world  of  pains.  And  yet  they  returned  from  their  tour, 
satisfied,  that,  for  ages,  mankind  would  not  suffer  through 
lack  of  precious  metals;  certainly  nnt,  while  Bustledom 
remained,  and  human  labor  could  be  applied  to  the 
Ccncliisi(>n.s    of  development    of    her    hidden    and    lioarded 

tlioiiglitriil    riH'ii  111-  11        1     • 

after  spi-ing  all  masses  ot    treasurc.     And,  during    all    their 

tlio       evil     ami       ...  .      .  ,      , 

cooii  they    bad  pilgninasrc,    the    conviction    had    grown    m 

met  ill   the  laiiil  ':;  .^  .  ,  i        i         i      i  i       i    •  i 

of  goiii.  then-  minds,  that  the  land  thoy  iiad  journeyed 

in  was  the  land  of  all  lands,  vilify  it  as  men  might,  and 
as  men  would.  In  duo  time,  they  doubted  not,  it  would 
so  appear  to  all.  It  only  needed  better  moral  influences,  and 
the  power  of  true  religion  speedily  to  bring  that  day  ;  and 
to  cause  the  land  to  be  as  renowned  for  the  beauty  of  the 
Lord  upon  it,  and  the  excellence  of  virtue  adorning  it,  as 
for  fruitfulness  it  already  was,  and  its  hidden  treasures  of 
yellow  gold  and  flowing  silver. 

Another  morning  brought  its  rosy  light  and  frc^h  airs, 
and  opened  sweet  blo.ssoins  in  the  forest  border,  and  new 
flowers  of  hope  in  human  hearts.  For  our  travelers,  how- 
ever, this  was  the  day  of  parting.  Mr.  Antiquary  must 
The  companions  return    to    his    employment,  where    the    lines 

on   this  journey  ,  .  .  , 

must  separate,  were  fallen  to  hira,  in  the  great  valley- 
Pilgrim  must  fini.sh  his  wanderings  in  the  gold  land  and 
depart.     Keep   Faith  must  proceed  on  his  mission  of  love 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM.  259 

and  zeal,  toward  the  northern  regions  of  the  Occident, 
where  the  faith  of  so  many  was  ahnost  ready  to  fail. 

So  they  counseled  and  cheered  each  other,  wept  together, 
and  prayed.  Pilgrim  gave  Mr.  Antiquary  a  copy  of  the 
What  presents  oWest  of  hooks,  laws,  and  recorded  wisdom, 
Pilgrim  made,  keeping  that  which  his  mother  gave  him  in 
Poomsend,  before  her  escape  and  his.  He  presented  Keep 
Faitli  also  with  a  duplicate  of  his  chart ;  for  with  the 
original  he  would  never  part,  though  it  were  urged  that  ho 
was  near  the  end  of  his  present  pilgrimage,  most  likely,  and 
Chart  and  notes  ^'^  ^^'^  could  not  require  it  more..  His  notes 
'"■''■^*^'"-  of  travel   he   left   with  Mr.  Renwar,  to    be 

deposited  among  the  archives  of  the  church  ;  and  directing 
that  a  copy  sliould  be  sent  to  licv.  Mr.  Augustine  in 
Embankment. 

Then  they  shook  hands,  and  embraced.  They  parted, 
but  not  forever.  iVnd  each  took  his  way,  with  a  kind  of 
sorrowful  joy,  believing  in  the  day  when  they  should  rest 
too-ether  on  the  o'litteriuir  heio-hts  of  Zion  above. 

Alone,  with  his  staff,  Pilgrim  took  his  way,  as  I  saw, 
toward  the  village  at  the  forks  of  the  grape  stream.  He 
took  little  note  of  all  that  was  around  hhn,  as  he  passed 
along,  though  the  path  was  a  blind  and  difficult  one.  He 
How  lie  was  oc-  was    occupicd    witli    his  own  thoughts,  with 

ciipied  as  he  tra-  .  .  ^    ^^  tt 

veied  alone.  memories  of  his  life,  trials,  and  labor.  He 
had  seen  much  of  this  world ;  its  cares,  toils,  and  troubles. 
He  had  seen  it  in  all  its  moods,  and  had  looked  on  all 
the  splendors  and  rewards  with  which  it  is  wont  to 
crown  its  votaries.  He  had  seen  its  wealth  and  its  poverty, 
its  great  men  and  its  unknown  people,  and  all  had  alike 
faded  and  perished.  One  event  had  happened  to  all.  His 
own  observation  had  taught  him  that  poverty  and  its  ills 


260  THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 

were  not  the  worst  of  evils ;  that  happiness  was  quite  as 
Happiness  as  comuion  among  the  poor  as  among  the  rich; 
?kh  iriionl  an^l  that  the  noblest  of  men  were  often  found 
the  poor.  ^^^  ^^.^^^  ^^^  carcs  and  strifes  of  puLlic  life. 

He  had  no  regrets  for  the  past.  He  was  not  sorry  that  he 
had  turned,  in  his  youth,  to  seek  the  favor  of  God,  and  the 
blessings  of  religion  ;  letting  the  world,  and  its  noisy  babble, 
and  vain  pleasures,  all  go. 

He  rejoiced  that  he  had  been  a  pilgrim  in  the  earth,  and 
had  been  able  to  lay  up  treasures  on  high.  He  had  been  a 
He  rejoices  in  ''^^^  ^^  *oi^^  ^"^  cndcavors ;  had  pursued  the 
!^8,''te!i''"him"to  even  tenor  of  his  way  in  the  sphere  fitted  for 
'"  him,  wherever  his  lot  Avas  east;  had  shrunk 

from  no  plain  and  manifest  duty ;  and  had  tried  to  serve 
<!oil  with  his  few  possessions,  and  with  all  his  powers  of 
body  and  mind.  He  was  going  into  the  mount.  He 
remembered  the  story  of  Moses  in  the  top  of  Xebo.  He  might 
himself  be  near  the  end  of  his  days.  He  might  soon 
One  may  leave  leavc  all  that  was  his,  oxccpt  his  character ; 

iiiudi     to      the 

world,    thoush  his  moral  life,  and  its  consequences ;  for  he 

he  hronsrlit  noth-  ...  ... 

iiigintoit.  could  take  nothing  rrom  a  world  into  which 

he  brought  nothing.  If  he  continued  in  the  world,  he 
shoulJ  live  on  as  before.  If  he  left  it,  he  could  depart 
in  peace. 

Now  I  saw,  that  on  the  third  day,  Pilgrim  came  up  to 
the  top  of  a  lofty  peak  on  the  snowy  range,  whence  lay  in 
view  the  fertile  slope  on  the  loft,  across  which  he  had  come, 
and  the  wide  deserts  on  the  right.  The  sun  beams  had 
fallen  there  as  he  came  forth  from  his  chamber  in  the  east ; 
and  the  mountain  was  all  aglow.  Winged  forms  were 
A  vi«ion  iiseen.  hcvcring  about,  brighter  than  the  rays  of 
the  morning.     The  very  air  was  quivering  with  the  mu.sic 


THE    CALIFORNIA    PILGRIM. 


261 


of  their  pinions.  As  I  strained  my  gaze  to  behold  the 
vision,  it  lifted  slowly  away  from  the  mountain  top,  with 
bursts  of  music  ravishing  and  jubilant.  It  ascended  into 
the  blue  empyrean,  with  gathering  convoys  of  angels. 
At  length  it  receded  into  the  heights,  and  faded  from  my 
sight,  and  the  sound  of  music,  also,  died  away  in  mine  ear ! ! 
I  was  aroused.  The  morning  sun  was  shining  fuU  on  my 
face  as  I  reclined  in  the  rocky  nook,  where  I  had  laid  me 
down  to  rest,  ou  the  night  of  my  stay  in  that  lone  height  of 
the  coast  rancre.     So  I  awoke ;  and  behold,  it  was  a  dream ! 


THE    END. 


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